Ruvu Basin conservation project gets boost
DAR ES SALAAM: A NEW 1.94 million US dollars project to improve water security has been launched, with a focus on restoring the Ruvu sub-basin, an essential water source for Dar es Salaam and its surrounding areas.
The initiative, known as the Nature-based Solutions for Catchment Restoration and Water Replenishment in the Ruvu Sub-Basin (NbS4Water-Ruvu), will run for four years and focus on the Ngerengere catchment, a key source feeding the Ruvu River.
Implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in partnership with the Global Water Challenge (GWC), Wami-Ruvu Basin Water Board (WRBWB) and local government authorities, the project seeks to restore degraded ecosystems while improving water availability through nature-based solutions.
The IUCN Tanzania Country Representative, Mr Charles Oluchina said in Morogoro on Wednesday that the initiative will play a transformative role in protecting water resources and supporting livelihoods.
“We are proud to be the implementing partner alongside WRBWB. This initiative is aimed at restoring the Ruvu basin while improving water security and community livelihoods,” he said.
The Ruvu Basin supports nearly nine million people, as well as agriculture and industry, but faces growing pressure from deforestation, climate change and unsustainable land use.
He said the project will promote tree planting, catchment restoration and sustainable land-use practices to improve water retention and reduce environmental degradation. It also aims to strengthen governance systems and build local capacity for long-term water management. GWC Senior Water Stewardship Director, Mr Malick Keita said these challenges are interconnected.
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“Key challenges include weak governance, deforestation, unsustainable water use, soil erosion, pollution and climate change,” he said.
He said about 5,000 people, 60 per cent men and 40 per cent women are expected to benefit directly, while at least 2,000 farmers will adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices. Mr Keita said the initiative is designed to foster longterm collaboration among stakeholders.
“This is about strengthening a shared commitment to protecting one of Tanzania’s most vital water systems. It is a partnership built on trust, collaboration and a shared vision for sustainable water management,” he said.
The Coca-Cola Company supported the project through its Africa Water Stewardship Initiative. Coca-Cola’s East and Central Africa Vice President for Franchise Operations, Mr Alfred Olajide, said addressing water scarcity is increasingly urgent.
“The world is facing growing water insecurity, with demand for safe water exceeding supply in many areas. This project is not just an investment in water, but in people, livelihoods and our shared future,” he said. He emphasised the importance of partnerships between governments, businesses and communities in addressing water challenges.
