This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24049800
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Kenya aquifers discovered in dry Turkana region | Kenya aquifers discovered in dry Turkana region |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A huge water source has been discovered in the arid Turkana region of northern Kenya which could supply the country for 70 years, the government says. | A huge water source has been discovered in the arid Turkana region of northern Kenya which could supply the country for 70 years, the government says. |
| The discovery of two aquifers brings hope to the drought-hit region, tweeted Environment Minister Judi Wakhungu. | The discovery of two aquifers brings hope to the drought-hit region, tweeted Environment Minister Judi Wakhungu. |
| They were found in the Turkana Basin and Lotikipi Basin using satellites and radar. | They were found in the Turkana Basin and Lotikipi Basin using satellites and radar. |
| Last year, scientists released a map detailing the vast reservoirs which lie under much of Africa. | Last year, scientists released a map detailing the vast reservoirs which lie under much of Africa. |
| Another aquifer was found in Namibia - sub-Saharan Africa's driest country. | |
| Turkana is one of the hottest, driest and poorest parts of Kenya and was hit by a devastating drought last year. | Turkana is one of the hottest, driest and poorest parts of Kenya and was hit by a devastating drought last year. |
| Many of the region's inhabitants are nomadic herders, who are especially vulnerable to a lack of rain. | Many of the region's inhabitants are nomadic herders, who are especially vulnerable to a lack of rain. |
| Test drilling confirmed there was water under the ground. | Test drilling confirmed there was water under the ground. |
| The discovery was announced by Ms Wakhungu at a meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco. | The discovery was announced by Ms Wakhungu at a meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco. |
| "This newly found wealth of water opens a door to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation as a whole. We must now work to further explore these resources responsibly and safeguard them for future generations," she said. | "This newly found wealth of water opens a door to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation as a whole. We must now work to further explore these resources responsibly and safeguard them for future generations," she said. |
| 'Irrigation and industry benefits' | 'Irrigation and industry benefits' |
| The aquifers are said to hold some 250bn cubic metres of water. | The aquifers are said to hold some 250bn cubic metres of water. |
| Ms Wakhungu said Kenya currently uses about 3bn cubic metres a year. | Ms Wakhungu said Kenya currently uses about 3bn cubic metres a year. |
| "We're hoping with the two test boreholes, the water should be available within a month. The first priority is to supply water to the people of the area, who have always been water insecure." | "We're hoping with the two test boreholes, the water should be available within a month. The first priority is to supply water to the people of the area, who have always been water insecure." |
| Using the water for irrigation and industry would also be considered, she said. | Using the water for irrigation and industry would also be considered, she said. |
| Massive oil deposits have also recently been discovered in Turkana. | Massive oil deposits have also recently been discovered in Turkana. |
| The BBC's Angela Ng'endo in the capital, Nairobi, says despite its burgeoning wealth, the region's inhabitants have always felt marginalised. | The BBC's Angela Ng'endo in the capital, Nairobi, says despite its burgeoning wealth, the region's inhabitants have always felt marginalised. |
| Abou Amani, Unesco's Africa hydrologist, urged caution and said it was important not to "overexploit" the aquifers. | Abou Amani, Unesco's Africa hydrologist, urged caution and said it was important not to "overexploit" the aquifers. |
| "We need to put in place a sound management system," he said. | "We need to put in place a sound management system," he said. |
| The head of the non-governmental organisation Friends of Lake Turkana, Ikal Anglei, said the government also needed to engage more with local communities. | The head of the non-governmental organisation Friends of Lake Turkana, Ikal Anglei, said the government also needed to engage more with local communities. |
| "Unfortunately they're not creating forums for us to engage with them," she said. | "Unfortunately they're not creating forums for us to engage with them," she said. |
| "It is critical for governments to realise they don't… come up with programmes without community ownership… and linking it to economic development." | "It is critical for governments to realise they don't… come up with programmes without community ownership… and linking it to economic development." |
| According to Unesco, about 17 million of Kenya's 41 million people lack access to safe water. | According to Unesco, about 17 million of Kenya's 41 million people lack access to safe water. |