Assessment of land use change on water resource availability in Muheza district, Tanga region

This study focused on the assessment of land use change at Zigi river catchment on water resource availability in Muheza District, Tanga Region. The river is the main source of water inthe area but in current years its status was reported to be deteriorating. Efforts to improve the situation worked only for some time. The challenge is to keep the river and its catchment sustainable while using its resources for socio-economic development. The objectives of the study were; (i) To assess the trend of crop cultivation on Zigi River catchment,(ii) To examine implication of crop cultivation on water resources availability, and (iii) To assess the current strategies for conservation on Zigi River catchment. Data were collected by questionnaires, interviews, GIS and observation aided by a digital camera. The Researcher used Systematic random sampling and Purposive sampling to make sample size. Four villages namely Mlesa, Mbomole, Kisiwani and Darajani formed study villages. Data collected were analyzed by using Microsoft Excel, GIS and descriptive techniques and presented through frequency distribution tables, charts, graphs, maps, photographs and descriptions. Study findings revealed the recurringdecrease of both level and flow of water together with increasing turbidity level on Zigi River went hand in hand with decreasing vegetation cover on Zigi River Catchment. The most causative agent for such decrease was found to be crop cultivation, though other factors also contributed to the destruction. Furthermore findings revealed further decreasing in both water level and flow on Zigi river thus reduce water resource availability. The Researcher recommends further studies on chemical impact of Crop Cultivation and other anthropogenic activities on Zigi River catchment in order to have holistic view of the problem.