Impacts of a Degraded Dryland Riverine Ecosystem on Livelihoods

Water is basic to life given its functions in all life. Of the total global water resource only 1% is available for use. Governments have over the years developed legal and institutional arrangements for water management. Despite this, people continue to use water as though it were an infinite resource with no value. The very nature of rivers makes their management challenging in that they flow from a high ground to the lowlands. People who live along riverine ecosystems tap water directly for various purposes. Others use river water directly and in some cases contaminate the water with impacts to downstream users. Rivers play major ecological functions in addition to providing water for various purposes. Inappropriate use of river water leads to reduced levels and quality of the water. This, coupled with land degradation within the riverine, affects the livelihoods of the people dependent on the particular riverine ecosystem with negative consequences. This report presents an assessment of the state of affairs where a once permanent river has turned seasonal. It underscores the need for effective measures to manage riverine ecosystems for continued provision of essential services.