The Usambara Mountains are an important source of water for north eastern Tanzania. The towns of Lushoto, Mombo, Korogwe, Muheza and Tanga rely on water from the Usambara Mountains. The Pangani River, which flows from Mt Kilimanjaro, receives significant inflows from the Usambaras. The river is used for irrigating farms and powering a series of hydro electric stations.

A homestead on the forest line at the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania. (PHOTO: J. Jabbour)

Deforestation, poor land management practices and inadequate funds for watershed management pose a threat to the long term supply of quality water from the Usambaras to downstream communities. The direct adverse impacts are immediately seen in agricultural production, municipal water supply and hydropower generation.

The PRESA project is working with site partners to link upland farming communities with urban water utilities, hydro-power generators and downstream agricultural producers. This will result in greater co-operation for restoring and sustaining a healthy catchment ecosystem.

PRESA’s main partner in the Usambaras is the Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) working closely with the African Highlands Initiative (AHI).
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