20 Feb 2025 Hombolo-Bwawani Village, Dodoma District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania, Africa Biodiversity | Communities | Education | Fishes
Hombolo Dam, located in the semi-arid Dodoma region of Tanzania, plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and the local communities through water supply, agriculture, and fisheries. However, soil erosion and deforestation in the catchment area have led to siltation, degrading water quality and threatening aquatic biodiversity, including Oreochromis esculentus, whose population is declining at an alarming rate. The conservation of this species is essential for maintaining ecological balance and sustaining local livelihoods.
This project intends to restore the ecosystem function by reducing siltation of the dam, employing a multi-faceted approach that includes community training and empowerment in sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation practices. Additionally, the project will monitor water quality, fish catches, and dam depth to measure conservation efforts and foster biodiversity conservation and improve local livelihoods.