Valuation of Ecosystem’s Water supply services in Mara Wetlands, Tanzania.

Kawira, Enock E. (2021) Valuation of Ecosystem’s Water supply services in Mara Wetlands, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study aimed to establish the value of ecosystems water supply services in Mara wetlands. The sample consisted of total number of 120 households in which nine villages of Butiama, Tarime and Rorya Districts which were purposively selected to represent Mara wetlands areas. Data on water supply services from wetlands, beneficiaries of water supply services from wetlands, quantity of water accessed, quality of water and their price were collected using direct observations, interviews and questionnaires. Also, data on household’s perception on economic value of wetlands were collected. The descriptive and inferential statistics were both used for data analysis. Data were analysed by using SPSS version 20. The findings indicate that wetlands support people livelihoods through water services offered from wetlands that enable residents to engage in livelihood strategies including farming activities, livestock keeping, fishing and business that highly depend on wetlands water sources. Secondly rural residents depend on raw water from wetlands for drinking as compared to their counterpart urban residents who depended on tap water wells. Lastly Mara wetlands provide domestic water supply services of Tsh 5.2 million per day. The study recommends local government Authorities (LGAs) to collaborate with the communities in rural areas and join their efforts in protecting and the wise utilization wetlands found in Mara Region and elsewhere for poverty alleviation .There should be education campaigns in boiling water for drinking to avoid water related diseases to safeguard health for sustainable development. Keywords: Ecosystems, Water Supply, Wetlands, Mara.

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