Green | January 07, 2009 | 0 comments

Defending the Zambezi: Africa's River of Life

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The Zambezi is one of the most heavily dammed rivers in Africa. More than 30 large dams have already been constructed throughout its basin, at great cost to local people and wildlife. These impacts have been particularly harsh in Mozambique, where the giant Cahora Bassa Dam displaced tens of thousands of people, and severely degraded downstream floodplains and fisheries. Significant work is currently underway to restore the lower Zambezi by improving how water is released from Cahora Bassa. Water release patterns that more closely mimic natural flows will improve the richness of the degraded downstream environment.

Now, the Mozambican government – with China's help – is proposing to build the Mphanda Nkuwa Dam 60 kilometers downstream from Cahora Bassa. Proponents hope the dam will help attract energy intensive industries to Mozambique, but for the foreseeable future, much of its electricity will be exported to South Africa.

video "Defending the Zambezi: Africa's River of Life"
http://internationalrivers.org/en/node/3140
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