A recent investigation conducted by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has shed light on the alarming levels of pollution in four major lakes across the country. The report, spanning from December 2023 to January 2024, pointed to construction and agricultural activities as well as indiscriminate waste discharge as the primary culprits behind the degradation of these vital water bodies.
REMA’s scrutiny aimed to evaluate compliance with a 2018 law mandating a 50-meter buffer zone between human activities and the lakes to safeguard their ecological integrity. The lakes in question include Lake Kivu in Western Province, the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo in Northern Province, and Lake Muhazi in Eastern Province.
The investigation revealed that the pollution of these lakes poses a grave threat to biodiversity and jeopardizes the essential economic roles they play for local communities. For instance, the fluctuating sardine production in Lake Kivu, ranging from 300 to 500 tonnes per week, underscores the significance of these water bodies for sustaining livelihoods and the food supply chain.
Moreover, ongoing projects at Lake Kivu to harness its methane gas for cooking gas and electricity generation, alongside the utilization of the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo for hydropower and their connection to the vital Rugezi wetland, amplify the critical importance of preserving these aquatic ecosystems.
Lake Muhazi, a crucial source of sustenance for the fishing community, feeds into River Nyabugogo, which then converges with River Nyabarongo, a tributary of the River Nile. The interconnectedness of these water bodies underscores the far-reaching consequences of their pollution.
REMA’s report, which was shared with The New Times, emphasized how various activities, including dumping of stones and sand, agricultural and livestock operations, construction, and wastewater discharges, are degrading the lakes. These discharges contain harmful substances that can significantly alter aquatic habitats, species composition, and lead to a decline in biodiversity.
Rwanda’s Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Centre (CPCIC) highlighted that over 30% of industries do not treat their wastewater adequately, resulting in high levels of suspended sediment and waste. This, in turn, leads to substantial economic losses due to the siltation of water bodies that contribute almost half of Rwanda’s electricity generation.
Remy Norbert Duhuze, Manager of the Water Monitoring and Quality Control Division at the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), underscored the adverse impact of pollution on aquatic life and water-dependent human activities. Duhuze stressed the urgency of respecting the law and safeguarding buffer zones around water bodies from encroachment, as well as ensuring proper treatment of wastewater before its release into lakes and rivers.
Amid these challenges, conservation experts have proposed a community participatory approach as a sustainable model to curb encroachment and pollution of Rwanda’s lakes and rivers. Duhuze endorsed this approach, emphasizing the need for formal structures and community engagement to enforce laws and report any observed violations.
In line with the gravity of the situation, the 2018 environmental law imposes strict penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals or entities found guilty of polluting water bodies. These penalties underscore the government’s commitment to combatting environmental degradation and promoting sustainable practices.
The findings from REMA’s investigation serve as a clarion call for coordinated efforts to preserve Rwanda’s precious lakes, not just for the current generation but for the prosperity of generations to come. The protection of these water bodies transcends legal obligations; it is a moral imperative and a fundamental step towards safeguarding the country’s natural heritage.
