The Countdown of “The Last Descent”
Nature and environment – kayak / Germany, Ben Jung / 2009 / 15‘
December 29, 2009 at 22:00 – 23:30
Only a few miles downstream of two already existing dams at the Nile the Bujagali dam is being built.
The project could create 250 Megawatt of electricity. “Although the water level of Lake Victoria already dramatically decreased as a consequence of the two already existing dams”, explains Regine Richter from the organisation Urgewalt. “Furthermore as a consequence of climate change the volume of Lake Victoria is going to continue to shrink, therefore the Bujagali dam once in operation will produce considerably less electricity then predicted.
The national association of professional environmentalists, which has its headquarters in Uganda, says electricity is too expensive for most of the Ugandan population.
The completion of the retaining dam could mean the death of Lake Victoria, which will have serious consequences for the millions of People dependant on it.
With the completion of the dam many inhabitants are afraid and rightly so, that fewer Tourists will come, which will mean less work for the people living there.
Some of the white Niles Fascination is definitely going to be lost. The Decline of Rafting and Kayaking equals a decline in Tourists. Not just ordinary tourists, some are voluntary aid workers; who spend their free time working for Aid organisations such as Softpowereducation. Organisations – which are necessary in the battle against malaria and HIV.
