Coastweek
April 15, 2011
By Cahil Marduff

Mara River has become polluted which often dries up

It was sad to read about the near extinction of Bongos in Kenya in Coastweek.

Up until 1973 Bongos could be hunted by tourist hunters aided by their Kenya professional hunters in the Mau Escarpment on a sustainable basis and with very limited quotas.

The incursion of humans into the Mau forest, the destruction of its forest cover and the loss of its natural mist and high altitude precipitation have destroyed one of the most pristine areas we had.

The Mara River which originates in the Mau has become a polluted river which often dries up.

This drastic environmental degradation is now affecting the Mara River 's hippo and crocodile populations and ultimately many herbivores and carnivores which depend on this life-sustaining river will dwindle in numbers and perish.
 
The politics of Kenya and the politicians we have are largely to blame for this ongoing trend.

Cahil Marduff, Mombasa .

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Article at:  http://www.coastweek.com/3415_33.htm