Nyumba ya Mungu: Trip XI

Dry landscape eventually gives way to the lake.

Since our July has been booked with travel to the US and Spain, as well as hosting some friends from China, we have had a bit of a drought in our personal trips. We decided this weekend to go out to Nyumba ya Mungu to do some birding (Trip I, II, III, IV, V & VI, VII, Trip VIII, Trip IX, Trip X).

We had never been to the lake at this time of year and the lake was at the lowest levels that we have ever seen. It made it very difficult to see birds because they were hidden behind the deep reeds and we are not so enthusiastic to jump into the lake due to the presence of  Schistosomiasis. We were also curious to see if the rumored ban on fishing at the reservoir had been enforced. In May the government had announced that fishing was to be banned for one year due to declining stocks. Sure enough, we didn't see any boats or the usual traders of fish along the shoreline. We did see some small scale extraction but nothing like before. It is a curious move, which is very demonstrative of the administration. Instead of addressing the issue of illegal fishing methods and declining stocks, they simply put a blanket ban on the activity. There are hundreds of people in the very poor area that have no alternative livelihood. Instead of investing in education or alternative programs, they take the easy way out which will likely only increase illegal fishing activities and further increase poverty in the area.

We hope that next time we visit we can rent out a boat and maybe take some time to talk to people about the local ban. I'm curious to hear how the locals feel about it, how enforcement was announced, and what people are doing in the meantime. Until then....

Traffic jam on our way there.

Ana surveying the landscape.

Possible illegal fisherman?

Cows grazing.