Publications of PRSA

The impact of wetlands degradation on water resources management in Rwanda: the case of Rugezi Marsh

ABSTRACT

The Wetlands play an important role in water quantity and quality management; they contribute to water resources regulation to downstream water courses and water resources retention. In general, they are considered as water towers or earth kidneys due to the role they play in conserving and filtering water resources. In Rwanda, before the colonial period, the role of wetlands was unknown because they were considered as marginal land. Since 1980s, the consideration of wetlands has changed; they became considered as land reserve in order to respond to demographic pressure. As a result, many development schemes of wetlands were launched and implemented without taking into account their hydrological and environmental aspects. The Rugezi Marsh is one of headwaters of the Nile River located in Buberuka highlands. It is a high altitude (2100m) peat bog developed from an accumulation of organic materials in water depression due to quartzite rock trapping. Like other inland or coastal wetlands, the Rugezi Marsh in its natural state has been playing a significant ecological, hydrological, socio-economic and historical and recreational role. Located in a highland area where floods and sedimentation are potential threats to water resources management, the Rugezi Marsh was regulating, retaining and filtering the water resources that flow into Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo downstream. However, due to the demographic pressure in the catchment and the country economic growth, the Rugezi Marsh is facing an environmental crisis related to marsh agricultural reclamation and drainage by ELECTROGAZ ( Agency for Electricity, Water and Gas supply) increase the hydropower generation at Ntaruka and Mukungwa sites. Both activities have implied the degradation of the marsh water table, water quality and the decline of water level in the Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo. This degradation has complicated water resources management in Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo catchments and the cost to replace or rehabilitate the hydrological functions of Rugezi Marsh is putting a heavy burden to the government, local authorities and international organisations.

Key words: Environmental crisis, Wetland degradation, wetland hydrology, Water resources Management

Downlaod the full paper (pdf)

Authors:

Emmanuel Twarabamenye & Sylvère Hategekimana, The impact of wetlands degradation on water resources management in Rwanda: the case of Rugezi Marsh, in the proceedings of the 5th International Hydrology, Cairo, September, 2007.

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Références

1. The impact of Wetlands degradation on water ressources management in Rwanda