Heavy metals inflow into Lake Muhazi, Rwanda.
Most tropical African lakes are facing pollution problems due to the rapid population growth and industrializa- tion in their riparian communities. Lake Muhazi in Rwanda is one of such lakes which has experienced a dramatic decrease in fish production since the eighties, with also reports of low water transparencies and high turbidities. The lakeshores are now being developed for ecotourism and this requires sound environmental management to make the planned activities viable. The purpose of this study was to assess heavy metal pollution in the tributary rivers of Lake Muhazi. The concentration of heavy metals in major tributaries was monitored for the period July to October 2007. The parameters studied are cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, zinc, pH and temperature. Fourteen sampling stations on the Inflow Rivers and the spillway were monitored fortnightly. The samples collected for heavy metal analysis were preserved and stored in cooler boxes and analyzed in the laboratory using Standard Methods. Temperature and pH were measured in the field using HACH field testing kits. The concentration (mean ± standard deviation) of Zn was found to be 0.040±0.103 mg/L, Cd 0.031±0.007 mg/L, Pb 0.487±0.452 mg/L, Fe 7.53±13.34 mg/L, Mn 1.01±1.31 mg/L, chromium 0 mg/L and copper 0 mg/L. The concentrations of measured parameters deviate much from the recommended ones thus posing serious problems to aquatic life. It has also been shown that the high metal concentration levels in Lake Muhazi are related to landuse activities in the catchment. It is thus recommended that farming practices and erosion be controlled in the catchment to contain pollutant discharges into the lake. Lead is the main anthropogenic pollutant which has been found in the watershed of Lake Muhazi.
Extent of disaster courses delivery for the risk reduction in Rwanda
Abstract This study assessed the extent to which disaster related courses are integrated into formal education to enhance community's awareness and resilience to disasters in Kigali City, Rwanda. A face-to-face interview was conducted across 56 respondents purposively sampled from the Primary and Secondary schools, Universities, Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees and Rwanda Education Board in 2016. The results revealed a good level of disaster risk reduction awareness among respondents, while the related courses delivery rate is low. This indicates that the information is not well spread, and may affect future generations, due to lack of related skills and knowledge. In addition, disaster courses are largely taught in secondary schools than primary schools, and generally theoretical in mixture with other courses. If started from primary schools, where the number of students is higher than those in secondary schools, the skills and knowledge could reach a large number of people. Therefore, this expresses little value attributed to offering such courses and the role of disaster resilience education in reducing the community's vulnerability to disasters is not yet realized. Moreover, as much value is not given to offering these courses, hindrances such as lack of appropriate and technical teaching staff with appropriate materials are experienced. The analysis suggested to (1)introduce disaster courses from primary to graduate schools as separate courses with appropriate materials, (2) provide technical trained staff to disseminate practical disaster risk reduction assistance and (3) incorporate disaster risk reduction into decision making processes and ensure collaboration among all concerned stakeholders.
A Preference for Forgetting: Some Reflections on Publishing Looking For Blackfellas' Point: An Australian History of Place
Blackfellas' Point lies on the Towamba River in south-eastern New South Wales. As the river descends rapidly from its source on the Monaro plains, it winds its way through state forest, national park and farming land. Around twenty-five kilometres before it reaches the sea, just south of Eden, it passes through Towamba, the small village in which Mark McKenna now owns eight acres of land. Mark's land looks across the river to 'Blackfellas' Point', once an Aboriginal camping ground and meeting place. Looking for Blackfellas' Point is a history that begins by looking across the river to the arc of bush that is 'Blackfellas' Point. From there, Mark McKenna's gaze pans out - from the history of one place he knows intimately, to the history of one region and, ultimately, to the history of Australia's quest for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Looking For Blackfellas' Point is a history for every Australian who is interested in the story of settler-Australia's relations with Indigenous people - what happened between us, how we learnt to forget and, finally, how we came to confront the truth about our past and build a movement for reconciliation.