Exploitation of Tana River Delta 'threatening livelihoods in Kenya'
23/12/2009
An increase in the number of corporations lining up to take advantage of the natural resources Kenya's Tana River Delta has to offer is threatening the livelihoods of those who rely upon the waterway, it has been stated.
According to Birdlife International, the river is under "unprecedented" threat due to companies using it to step up exports, minerals and biofuel crop production.
The organisation stated that this has been aggravated by inefficient environmental management, as attempts to grow crops - such as irrigated rice, maize and cotton – have failed in the past.
Dr Helen Byron, senior international site casework officer for the RSPB, told the news provider: "What is needed is a long-term plan for the area which builds on the rich biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Delta to provide sustainable livelihoods for the local people."
In related news, Kenya experienced little economic growth during the third quarter of 2009 - something that has been partly attributed to droughts in the country, Bloomberg reported this week.
Written by John Curtis 
