Regional Lessons Learnt Draft Final Report

Abstract

Lake Victoria Basin is rich with current value placed at about US$ 12.4 billion and which could be developed further with good management intervention. There are many factors that are threatening rich biodiversity and natural resources in the lake thus hindering their valuable ecological role and utilization for sustainable development in the region. The threats include poor land use practices, catchment deforestation, poor agricultural practices, destruction of wetlands , pollution loading from industries and municipalities, fishing malpractices and invasion by numerous exotic species especially water hyacinth. The results have been rampant land degradation, deterioration of water quality, decline in biodiversity, unsustainable use of the resources, increased poor health and food insecurity with the resultant high levels of poverty amongst the riparian community