DAM DEVELOPMENT AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DAM CONSTRUCTION IN NGALA COMMUNITY AND BALANCING PROGRESS WITH CONSERVATION

 

BY SHANISE CHAFUKIRA

The development of the dam has been a topic of debate and controversy, with proponents arguing for the benefits of the dam while the opponents highlighting the negative impacts which can be caused by the dam construction work in the environment. The debate of dam development versus the destruction of the environment has left individuals in a state of dilemma because environment preservation is a valued issue and also the benefits of dam construction cannot be underrated. This article highlights the benefits of the kholongo multipurpose dam which is being   constructed through the collaboration of ministry of water and sanitation, aquaculture and irrigation along Kasangazi River close to Ngala Forest and how the environment is been destroyed and the concerns arise due to the project.

 The benefit of dam construction: The construction of kholongo multipurpose dam will lead to water security. Dams act as giant storage tanks for capturing excess amount of water during the rainy season hence ensuring access of quality water for drinking, sanitation and other industrial activities in the community as it expected that the dam will have the capability to supply water 24 hours not only to the valued customers but also in areas around Kasese. This will reduce water scarcity since this was the problem many areas surrounding Ngala Forest are facing. So, this project will ensure the supply of the sustainable water in the community and over 224 people will have access to the water. Irrigation, the dam will be providing water for irrigation purposes as the dam is constructed along Kasangadzi River hence creating high opportunities as the farms along the river are very fertile, advanced irrigation systems will also be adopted and the dam will be a source of water for irrigation, allowing cultivation of crops throughout the year. This will increase agricultural production and food security. The kholongo multipurpose dam which is being constructed at Ngala forest will lead to the introduction of the fish farming in the community. The fishpond will be constructed since source of water will be readily available. This will be helpful to the society as they will be able to have access to good and nutritious relish hence helping in improving people’s health in the society, fish is the source of proteins and hence this will also help in fighting the issue of malnutrition in the area. Since the dam which is being constructed is multipurpose dam, the purpose and a benefit as well, is recreation. This has been portrayed by how the dam has been designed and the kholongo dam is expected to also be a recreation center after the completion of the construction work in 2026 since people will coming to appreciate the reservoirs. This will also be a means of getting forex, hence improving the economic development. The other purpose of the kholongo multipurpose dam constructing work project is the job opportunities to the community and surrounding areas. As the project is in progress the individuals in the societies, they have managed to secure different types of job and hopefully even after the completion of the dam people will still have access to these jobs, helping people to support themselves after getting paid that is improving the living standards of people in Kasese and other surrounding areas.

The destruction and balancing progress with conservation

The construction of the dam has led one part of Ngala Mountain turned into a place for mining of quarry. Part of the mountain is being used as a place of getting quarry and digging soils which they are using for the construction of the dam and other facilities like buildings. The mining of quarry resulted into the cutting of trees which surrounded the site. The other way how this project has shown destruction, blue gum trees has been cut despite that the forest reserve had been rehabilitating the forest by planting a lot of trees and introducing the measures of taking care of planted forest. The coming of dam construction project has led about 600 people to lose their land along Kasangazi River and some few they did not wisely use the money they get as the compensation.

During the development of the dam, the destruction of the environment had to be balanced in order to bridge a gap and show that environment preservation is also valued by coming up with ways of taking care of the environment and local communities through environmental assessment. This is why it brings confusion amongst people because the dam development gives a lot of opportunities despite that some few natural resources has to be destroyed. As the project of the constructing of a multipurpose dam is progressing they had to make an agreement with the Ngala forest reserve of doing afforestation through the policy act of forest and they also had a license for quarry mining and digging of soils which they are using for dam construction and, people who lost their land have been compensated to show that the project is more compliant to the environment, that’s  emphasizing sustainable development that will benefit both future and present generations. The issue left people in dilemma because the significance of the dam construction surpasses the negative part that comes as result of the development.