A DWINDLE IN NATURE; A CALL TO ACTION- WATER IS LIFE
A DWINDLE IN NATURE; A CALL TO ACTION- WATER IS LIFE
by: Green Treasures Farms.
A picture of rain droplets taken through a glass window. |
Also follow post at https://greentreasurersfarms.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/a-dwindle-in-nature-a-call-to-action-water-is-life/
The New Year was ushered in with
a lot of enthusiasm in Kenya. In Nairobi, it was ululations and chants of
thanksgiving all through. What many least expected was the unprecedented alert
that water shortages were a thing to be expected in the city and its suburbs.
Yes, according to the weatherman, the short rains in November-January period
were not sufficient to reach the 84% that has been the level to sustain the city’s
water needs.
As it
stands now, the media announced that Ndakaini dam, the main reservoir that
supplies water to Nairobi, is at or below a 48% level. North eastern
(Isiolo),Tana river, Ktui and other counties are not spared on this. This is
alarming, not just for the water sector, but also across other crosscutting
sectors such as health and food. We stand the risk of disease outbreaks out of
these water shortages, and we know this could be fatal even as our medics are
on strikes.
The big
question here is; are we really having competence in disaster preparedness
programs? Are the citizens well aware of the pressing issues? What measures is
the government taking in curbing these issues? Should we rather cut down trees
in forests and harvest sand in our water bodies build more structures and
skyscrapers at the expense of our nature? How can sustainable development
principles drive all the processes and secure the future of the environment and
humanity ultimately?
It’s a
big hit on the back, to see people and livestock lose lives to hunger and
starvation, which is mainly due to water scarcity or rather unavailability.
Clearly, Kenya is part of the sub-Saharan Africa and droughts are expected
every once in about 7years on the upper end. How then has this informed our
responses to such scenarios?
Now,
more than ever before, is the highest time that Kenyans understand that climate
change is real, and that our combined efforts are vital to curbing its impacts.
Look at the Mau complex for instance. I had my first tour to the forest this
January and believe you me; things are over the frying pan into the fire
itself. Forest degradation is a real-time occurrence and its effects are felt
even by the inhabitants there. Most of the forest has gone away due to land
grabbing and illegal settling. As an important water tower in the country, and
a source of water to many rivers, including the Ewaso nyiro, the ecosystem is
dwindling and slowly dying. We need to arrest these issues and really secure
the survival of our future generations.
“
Njaanuary” as it is commonly known in Kenya, to mean a starvation month after
the extravagance filled December holidays, has come with a double tragedy. No
water and access to food is costly. People are now forced to buy water from
street vendors, whose source and quality no one can assure.
Fellow
Kenyans, fellow Africans. Let us learn to deal with the climate issues in our
continent, and more to it, let everyone of us take a positive step to doing a
thing to give nature the treat she deserves. If we do not neglect these
efforts, then indeed we are neglecting the survival of our future generations.
God did not place us in the only life supporting planet so that we destroy it.
No, not. We ought to be true custodians of nature. Greed and Self-interests
over natural resources should not guide and inform decision making and
policies, rather, the people centered approach to serve all. #let the current
water scarcity be a warning to many. Nature reciprocates the vices done to her
in very high magnitudes.
Very true
ReplyDeleteWe need to urgently do something on this.
ReplyDeleteThe next big war might be caused by competition for water resources