Protection of water catchments in the Ngorongoro Conservation area

Abstract

In the preface to the £186,000 C.D. & W. scheme for the Conservation Unit, it is stated that E.A.A.F. R.O. will advise on the problem of catchment protection. At the invitation of the Conservation Authority, Dr. Pereira began this study by a 3-day visit on the 16th to 18th February, 1960. The main technical problem, on which immediate advice was requested, arose from pressure by the Masai members of the Conservation Authority for the opening of the Forest Reserve to grazing. With Messrs. Fehrson (Chairman of the Conservation Authority), Gilchrist (Ag. Conservator of Forests), Pollard (Asst. Conservator of Forests) and Mence (Game Ranger), the Forest Reserve from Ngorongoro to Loolmalasin and the crater of Olmoti were seen and discussed. It was not possible, in the time available, to examine the catchments of the springs and water holes on the North-East flank of the Crater Highlands and these catchment problems, some of which may be very important, will be further studied later in the year.