Thursday, January 3, 2013

Lake Barombi Mbo May Vanish In 92Years! -Environmental Experts


Some environmental experts attached to the Foresty and Environmental Conservation Society - FOECONS in Kumba, have expressed worries that the chances are very high for Lake Barombi Mbo, the main source of portable water in Kumba, to disappear in some 92 years from now if drastic measures are not taken.
In the midst of a prolonged water crisis, the environmentalists recently confronted the press during which they said their meticulous study of the crater lake shows that it is some nine meters deep, short of two a couple of years ago.
From some 5 kilometers square, Mr. Tabangmua Danisus, FOECONS Coordinator, revealed Lake Barombi Mbo is now some 4.54 kilometers square.
According to Mr. Tabangmua, there has been serious deforestation around the lake, which he noted is under pressure of various forms. If farmers and timber exploiters are not deforesting the lake surroundings and poisoning both the soil and water with chemicals, fishing by chemical is killing acquatic creatures and much of the biodiversity.
In any case, FOECONS is collaborating with a German organisation for advocacy and the Meme Administration is expected to sign an order stopping any destructive activity around the lake, so that the about one million kumba population can be sure of water, which has been scares for about six months following the badly coloured water that is emitted from the lake through the pipes.
"FOECONS is also expected to sign a convention with the Kumba City Council for tree-planting towards re-forestation of the lake. Only ecotourism should be allowed...", the coordinator added firmly.

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong
(Just back from Kumba)