Background
Lake Nakuru National Park (LNNP) is one of Kenya’s premier parks close to an urban setting and is frequented by both local and international tourists, this is due to its unique biodiversity status among them a high abundance of waterfowls especially flamingos, large mammals including black and white Rhinoceros, Rothschild giraffe, Eland and Hippopotamus among other key wildlife species. The park has a high international conservation profile being recognized as Rhino Breeding Sanctuary (for both Critically endangered Black and white Rhinos), a Ramsar site, an Important Bird Area (IBA), and is part of the three Kenya Lakes System UNESCO World Heritage Site jointly with Lakes Elementaita and Bogoria.
Over the years the park has faced many challenges due to its enclosed system (fully fenced) key among them drought. Four rivers drain into the park, Makalia, Njoro, Nderit, and Naishi. These rivers dry up during dry seasons, lake water is alkaline and is not much utilized by wildlife for consumption, the rainwater which is collected in few artificial dams, natural water pans are of great importance because it supplements water supply to wildlife during the rainy season but for a short term. During the dry season, most of the wildlife habitats dry up, especially the grasslands and the natural water pans hence animals either migrate or walk long distances to get water.
Reports have it that Early January- March 2022 close to over 200 water Buffaloes amoung other grazers such as antelopes and Zebras were reported to have Died as a result of Drought. InAugust 2022 To Mitigate the Lake Nakuru National Park Management together with Baboon Project Kenya and their Sponsors Newverse engaged on a drought mitigation project to rehabilitate 3 Existing Boreholes and Tap water from a natural spring and costruct a water Trough/Pan ensure adequate water supply to wildlife.
Some potential project activities revamped the unserviceable boreholes at Mbugani, Soysambu, and Reedbuck areas, excavate Earth Pans to collect more rainwater during the rainy season and hold for some time to ensure adequate water supply to animals after the season and tap /supply water from existing natural springs.
The solar systems are not only cheap but also environmentally friendly and do not emit carbons compared to diesel pumps which are expensive and cause pollution, hence the rationale for the projects.
Impact of the Project Implemetation
1. Rehabilitation of 3 existing Borehole
Loated at Lake Nakuru boreholes at Mbugani, Soysambu, and Reedbuck areas, excavate Earth Pans this area is a habitat for large herbivores mainly the Black and white Rhinos, Girraffes , antelopes , Warthogs , Lions and leopards
In Each Borehole courtesy of Newverse the Project Sponsors the following eco friendly solar powered pumps were installed
Installed - SOLAR RAIN MAKER 2 Powered by 444 Wh , 15 ah lithium ion battery
Maximum head 65m/210 ft
Includes:
Submersible pump
50 m electric cable
310 roof mounted solar panel
100m (25 mm)HDPE PIPE
Impact Each solar powered sumissible pimp is able to pump 1000L of water per hour into existing water pans and on average when the sun is up or during dry hot seasons the pumps are able to pump atleast 12,000L on avaerage per day from one single borehole
The three boreholes therefore pump approximately 36,000L per day to existing water pans to water troughd for wildlife to quench their thirst.
The natural water spring rehabilitated also pumps approx 12,000L per day to a nearby water pan
In Total the Project rehabilited sponsored by Newverse produces close to 50,000L per day for wildlife at Lake Nakuru to quench their thirst.
Success
Since rehabilitationand implementation of the project sponsored by Newverse. Lake Nakuru National Park has reported zero mortalities related to drought.