Geography Form 4 Notes : WILD LIFE AND TOURISM

WILD LIFE AND TOURISM

• Plants (flora) and animals (fauna) in their natural habitats.

Factors that Influence Distribution of Wildlife in E. Africa

Climate

• Heavy rainfall results in big forests which favour animals such as elephants and buffaloes e.g. Mt. Kenya forest.
• Arid and semi-arid climate supports hardy animals which can stand scarcity of water e.g. hart beast and gerenuk which can stand scarcity of water.

Relief

(a) Aspect

• Windward sides which receive heavy rainfall support big forests which favour animals such as elephants while leeward sides of mountains which experience low rainfall favour grasslands which favour carnivores which in turn attract herbivores e.g. Amboseli.

(b) Terrain

• Hunting animals like cheetah are found in plains and plateaus which are relatively level where they are able to run for long distances chasing their prey.

Soils

• Infertile and shallow soils favour grasslands which suit many herbivores and carnivores.

Vegetation

• Birds live where there are trees so as to have shelter.
• Savannah woodlands with more acacia trees favour giraffes which feed on foliage from the trees.
• Desert and semi-desert vegetation supports hardy animals such as grants gazelle.

Availability of water

• Fish are found in rivers, lakes and oceans e.g. Lakes Victoria Kyoga and Indian Ocean.
• Some animals such as hippos and crocodiles live mainly in fresh water in rivers and lakes e.g. R. Nile and L. Naivasha.

Human activities

• Man hunts animals illegally threatening some species with extinction.
• Man has displaced animals from their natural habitat by clearing vegetation for agriculture and settlement.
• Man has taken measures to conserve endangered species of wildlife through establishing national parks, game reserves and sanctuaries.

National Parks

• Area set aside for preservation of scenery, wildlife and historical sites e.g. Tsavo, Mombasa marine, Amboseli, Samburu in Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Serengeti in Tanzania and Kipendo valley and Ruwenzori in Uganda.

Characteristics

• Established by an act of parliament
• Managed by the government
• No other form of land is permitted.
• May be fenced off to keep off people and prevent animals from going out.

Game Reserve

• An area set aside for preservation of wildlife e.g. Maasai Mara in Kenya, Selous game reserve in Tanzania and Kigezi wildlife reserve in Uganda.

Characteristics

• Managed by local authorities.
• Accommodates both wildlife and livestock.
• May be or not fenced off.

Game Sanctuary

An area set aside for protection of birds or other kinds of animals which are endangered
e.g. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Rhino Sanctuary at L. Nakuru National park and Mwaluganje Elephant sanctuary.

Characteristics

• Hunting isn’t permitted.
  
• Predators are controlled.
• Breeding and keeping young ones until they are fit for release.

Significance of Wildlife

1. Tourist attraction which brings foreign exchange and revenue for the government by paying entry fee to the national parks and reserves.
   
2. Wildlife conservation has led to proper utilisation of marginal areas of marginal areas where crop growing is difficult due to unreliable rainfall.
   
3. Creates employment for people raising their standards of living e.g. game rangers, tourist guides and drivers and workers in tourist hotels.
   
4. Wildlife preservation helps to preserve and protect water catchment areas and soil and also modifies the climate resulting in increased rainfall.
   
5. A source of food e.g. animals meet and honey from bees.
   
6. Wild plants such as Muarobaini are used as a source of medicine.
   
7. It has led to development of industries by providing raw materials e.g. trees provide timber used in the building and construction industry.
   
8. It has led to development of infrastructure when good roads are built to make Game Parks more accessible to tourists.
   
9. It has diversified the economic base of East African countries instead of relying on agriculture as a major source of revenue.
   

Problems Facing Wildlife in East Africa

1. Poaching which is likely to bring rare species of animals to extinction e.g. rhinos and elephants.
2. Adverse climatic conditions which causes death of some animals due to shortage of water and pasture.
3. Floods which drown animals and destroy plants depriving animals of pasture.
4. Bush fires which destroy large tracts of land and kill animals which may cause extinction of rare species and expose land to agents of erosion.
5. Overgrazing by high population of herbivores resulting in destruction of vegetation which exposes land to agents of erosion destroying habitats of animals causing them to migrate to areas with adequate pasture.
6. Wildlife-human conflict where by pastoralists kills carnivores which kill their livestock.
7. Pests and diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus which threatens to reduce the lion population in many parts of Africa.
8. Human activities e.g.

• Overgrazing by livestock where grazing is allowed leading to destruction of the natural habitat for wildlife.
• Destruction of vegetation by tourists’ vehicles which reduces the amount of food for browsing animals.
• Encroachment of land which was formerly reserved for wildlife by clearing land for settlement and agriculture which has led to killing of animals.
• Overfishing which threatens the survival of certain species of fish and other marine life.
• Environmental pollution such as release of sewage from lodges which pollutes the water leading to the poisoning of animals which drink it e.g. at L. Nakuru where it has led to the death of flamingos and noise pollution from vehicles and people which disturbs animals making them unable to feed well.

Management and Conservation of Wildlife

Wild life management is effective planning and control of wildlife while wildlife conservation is protection of wildlife against interference and destruction by people.

Management Measures

1. Educating people through print and electronic media on the need to preserve wildlife.
2. Establishing wildlife clubs in schools to create awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation.
3. Formation of wildlife conservation bodies e.g. Kenya Wildlife Service charged with management and conservation of wildlife.
4. Initiating game ranching or wildlife farms to control overexploitation of wildlife resources from the natural habitats.
5. Culling of old animals to give room for the younger ones and to control the animal numbers.
6. Translocation of animals whose population increases beyond the capacity of park to other parks where their number is small to prevent the problem of overgrazing.
7. Encouraging of domestic tourism by lowering entry fee into parks to help people to appreciate the value of wildlife and thus accept conserving it.

Conservation Measures

1. Banning hunting in order to prevent extinction of endangered species.
2. Banning trade in wild game and trophies to prevent endangered animals from becoming extinct.
3. Setting up of game parks to protect wildlife against destruction by people.
4. Setting up of wildlife sanctuaries to protect the endangered species of wildlife.
5. Employment of paramilitary personnel by the government to combat poaching.

Tourism

• Process of travelling to other places for pleasure, business or education.

Types

Eco-tourism

• environmentally friendly tourism or tourism emphasizing environmental conservation where tourists and local communities are involved in enjoying nature as well as conserving it or.

Aspects/Characteristics of Ecotourism

• Tourists are guided along marked trails instead of driving to the areas where there are animals.
• Telescopic viewing of animals to avoid disturbing animals.
• Use of camping sites rather than big tourist hotels so as not to put pressure on resources which animals depend on.
• Prohibiting off road driving and travelling by foot.
• Allowing particular types of vehicles.
• Warning people against throwing cigarette remains on dry vegetation.

Its encouraged by:

• Creating awareness among the local communities to understand and appreciate nature by visiting Game parks.
• The local community directly benefits from income from tourism which provides them with incentive to conserve wildlife.
  

There are two types of tourism namely:

Domestic tourism involves local people visiting tourists’ attractions which are within their own country.

Why Domestic tourism is Encouraged

• To understand features available in the country so as to appreciate them.
• Understand and appreciate the need to conserve wildlife.
• To compensate for the low turn outs of international tourists in April and October this helps to run the hotels without relying on tourists from outside.

Its encouraged by:

• Lowering entry fee to game parks.
• Lowering charges in tourists’ hotels for Kenyans who want to stay in them.

Mass tourism is where large institutional groups of students of staff visit tourists’ attractions.

Green Tourism is where people travel seeking to protect and restore the damaged environment e.g. by planting trees.

International tourism involves movement of persons from one country to another for leisure.

Factors Influencing Tourism in Kenya

Physical factors

1. Tropical location which causes tourists from temperate countries to come to Kenya to escape the harsh winter cold.
2. Attractive scenery such as snow capped Mt. Kenya, unpolluted sandy beaches, Great Rift Valley, hot springs and geysers, great rivers with falls etc which attract tourists.
3. Richness in wildlife e.g. many plants because of warm climate e.g. rain forests and acacias of savannah and tropical animals and birds which are conserved in their natural habitat. Its home to the famous wildebeest in the Mara.

Human Factors

1. There are different ethnic groups with unique way and dancing, handicrafts, and dressing which attracts tourists.
2. Presence of historical sites which feature artefacts of iron age e.g. Kariandusi in Nakuru and Orgesailie near Magadi which attract tourists.
3. Political stability which assures tourists of their safety.
4. Accessibility of many tourist sites by road, air and water and also there are communication facilities throughout the country.
5. There are comfortable tourist accommodation facilities e.g. high-class hotels and lodges in major towns and game parks.

Tourist Attractions in Kenya

-Grouped into two:

Main Attractions at the Coast

• Beautiful natural uncrowded and unpolluted sandy beaches which are ideal for sun-bathing (sitting or lying in strong sunlight in order to make the body brown).
• Warm and sunny climate due to tropical location which attracts tourists from temperate regions who escape from the harsh winter cold and come for health purposes.
• Water sports like yatching, surfing and sport fishing which are carried out in the Indian Ocean.
• Historical sites such as Fort Jesus, Gedi ruins, Vasco Dagama and slave caves in Malindi and Shimoni.
• Traditional culture of the coastal people e.g. they have a unique way of dancing, songs, clothing and handicrafts and shrines e.g. Kaya of the Mijikenda which attracts tourists.
• Mangrove swamps which have unique plants and different species of fish, snails, snakes, birds etc.

  Main Attractions Inland
  

1. Wild life conserved in National Parks and Game Reserves. Wildlife is conserved in their natural habitats.
2. The Famous wildebeest migration in the Mara.
3. The sunny warm climate which attracts tourists from temperate countries.
4. Attractive scenery such as the snow capped Mt. Kenya, the Great Rift Valley and its lakes and hot springs and geysers and great rivers with waterfalls.
5. Diverse culture of inland people e.g. the Maasai way of dressing, dancing, housing.
6. Historical attractions such as Kariandusi near Gilgil and Orgesailie near Magadi featuring artefacts of Iron Age.
7. National museums of Kenya in Nairobi.

   Significance of Tourism
   

1. Tourism earns the country foreign exchange by paying for their services in foreign currency which is used to trade with other countries.
   
2. It employs many people enabling them to earn an income and hence raise their standard of living e.g. tourists guides, drivers, in tourist hotels etc.
   
3. Source of revenue for the government from licenses from tour operators, entry charges to game parks rental fee paid by game lodges etc.
   
4. Has led to improvement of infrastructure resulting when new roads are constructed and existing ones improved and also airstrips constructed which benefits people living along the routes which in turn stimulate development.
   
5. Promotes international understanding resulting in peace between countries by bringing together people from different countries of the world..
   
6. Promotes conservation of wildlife and historical sites sine they are tourist attractions.
   
7. Promotes agriculture as tourist hotels rely on farmers for the supply of food e.g. fruits and vegetables.
   
8. Promotes development of industries e.g. craft industries when tourists buy curios e.g. wood and stone carvings and ciondos.
   

Problems facing Tourism in Kenya

1. Insecurity whereby tourists are robbed of their belongings which discourages potential tourists from visiting the country. The government is increasing security patrols in the areas frequented by tourists.
2. Ethnic classes in tourist attraction areas which make tourists to stay away than put their lives at risk e.g. ethnic clashes in Molo. The solution is preaching peace among the tribes since the clashes are fuelled by ethnic hatred.
3. Illegal hunting of animals which reduces some rare wildlife species which attract tourists which reduces the number of tourists visiting the country. Some tourists encourage poaching by buying trophies and involvement in smuggling skins, ivory and other articles out of the country. The solution using game rangers to patrol game parks to hunt for illegal hunters and banning trade in game trophies and inspecting tourists at departure.
4. Terrorism attacks such as the bombing of tourist resort at Kikambala which causes foreign countries to issue travel advisories to their citizens which reduces the number of tourists. Security personnel are being trained on ways of detecting and countering terrorism.
5. Pollution of aquatic systems such as L. Nakuru which has caused the death of flamingos reducing the number of tourists since some are specifically attracted by flamingos. The solution is regular inspection of factories to ensure treatment of effluents before they are released to water bodies.
6. International media giving negative publicity of Kenya by portraying it as an insecure country. There should be established tourism promotion bodies in foreign countries to report positively to counter lies.
7. Air fares from and to many parts of the world is high due to high fuel prices which discourages tourists from coming to Kenya.

   Problems Associated With Tourism
   

8. Local people borrowing from tourists some social cultural values with negative consequences e.g. homosexuality and lesbianism which could lead to breakage of marriage life and spread of S.T.Ds.
   
9. Government neglecting other sectors of the economy such as agriculture and development projects like health and education by using a lot of money on tourist infrastructure such as construction of roads and airstrips in tourist areas some of which are rarely used.
   
10. Some tourists encourage poaching by buying and smuggling souvenirs in form of game trophies which make poachers to kill animals so as to meet demand for these products.
    
11. Destruction of vegetation by tourist’s vehicles as they move over it which reduces the amount of pasture available for browsing animals.
    
12. Tourists chasing animals while trying to get close-up photographs which destructs the animals feeding and bleeding habits. Noise from vehicles and people also disturb animals.
    
13. Some tourists come with the purpose of trafficking drugs and some introduce youths to drugs leading to drug abuse and its related consequences.
    
14. It may cause some male and female children to drop out of school to be showing the tourists around and obtain money by befriending tourists e.g. beach boys.
    

    Tourism in Switzerland
    

–A country in C. Europe which is landlocked.

-60% of the country is mountainous.

-Its one the leading world destination for international tourism.

-Tourism is highly developed and is the leading foreign exchange earner for the country.

Factors Influencing Tourism in Switzerland/Why it gets more tourists than Kenya.

1. Beautiful scenery produced by Alps which is the main tourist attraction in summer. There are features formed by glacial erosion. There are features such as snow capped mountain peaks, clear blue lakes, waterfalls etc.
2. Climate whereby tourists like visiting there during warm summers and especially the southern region of Ticino which receives more tourists as it experiences a warmer summer due to proximity to Mediterranean Sea.

   The country also experiences winter in which the mountain peaks and slopes provide excellent ground for skiing and skating.

3. It has Excellent infrastructural facilities with a well developed network of roads, railways, electrified rail cars and cable cars which enable tourists to travel easily to centres of attraction.
4. The policy of neutrality which makes people from all the parts of the world to feel at home while there.
5. Several major languages of Europe are spoken which makes it possible for tourists to get excellent services in the country.
6. Accessibility due to its location in C. Europe for tourists from countries from France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Belgium.
7. It has excellent accommodation facilities which are fairly priced and offer discounts to mass tourists.
8. It’s highly industrialised and many people are employed and earn a good income enabling people to save for holidays.
9. It’s a centre for international meetings since the UN headquarters are in Geneva and the people who go for meetings take time to tour various parts of the country.
10. Tourists organise themselves into groups in order to negotiate for air travel and hotel accommodation making tourism possible for a cross section of the society.
11. The country has favourable banking laws so people visit that country as they go to bank their money.
12. It has one of the lowest crime rates in the world which make many tourists to tour it because their security is guaranteed.

    Significance of tourism to Switzerland

• Earns the country foreign exchange which is used to finance development.
• The country earns revenue through taxation and direct fee collection.
• Creates employment in both Switzerland.
• It has encouraged development of other industries e.g. banking, insurance and transport.
• Has opened up unproductive areas for development e.g. glaciated landscapes.
• Switzerland has gained good international reputation and fame through tourism.

  Comparison between Tourism in Kenya and Switzerland
  

  Similarities
  

  • Both counties have similar tourist attractions e.g. snow capped mountains, waterfalls and rich culture.
  • Both countries have well established hotel industry offering excellent accommodation to tourists.
  • Both countries have health spas with mineral water which people consider to cure certain ailments. In Switzerland they are at Mt. Moritz and in Kenya at L. Bogoria.
  • In both countries tourists visit all year round.
  • In both counties tourism sector earns a significant fraction of foreign exchange.
  • Both countries enjoy a peaceful political environment suitable for tourism.
  • Tourists in both countries are attracted by waterfalls. In Switzerland they are associated with hanging valleys while Kenya’s are along her rivers.
  • Both countries have national parks e.g. Swiss National Park in Switzerland and Amboseli National Park in Kenya.

Differences/ What Tourists Go To See In Kenya Which They Cant See In Switzerland and Vice Versa

• Kenya has more physical features which attract tourists than Switzerland e.g. Rift valley, lakes, mountains.
• Kenya’s climate is warm throughout the year while Switzerland experiences warm summers and cold winters.
• Kenya has tropical wildlife such as the elephant, cheetah, lion etc. which Switzerland lacks.
• Kenya is richer in traditional culture than Switzerland due to its many ethnic groups.
• Switzerland receives more visitors than Kenya and revenue from the industry is far much higher compared to Kenya’s.
• Kenya has marine attraction which Switzerland lacks because it’s a landlocked country.
• In Kenya animals are kept in game parks while in Switzerland they are kept in zoos.
• Switzerland has winter sports such as skiing and ice-skating which Kenya lacks.
• In Switzerland domestic tourism is more pronounced than in Kenya due to high levels of income.

Reasons Why Many Kenyans Don’t Visit Other Places as Tourists

1. Shortage of accommodation especially during the tourist peak season making accommodation expensive and hence unaffordable.
2. Unemployment which makes many people unable to afford to travel let alone pay for food and hotel accommodation.
3. Low income from employment making many people unable to afford holidays in tourist attraction areas.
4. Some employees are unable to get leave so as to be able to visit tourists’ attractions.
5. Many people haven’t developed the habit of going to visit areas with tourists’ attractions during holidays.

   The Future of Tourism in Kenya/Ways in which Kenya is Planning to Expand her Tourism

Tourism in Kenya has good prospects and may expand in future if the following factors are implemented:

1. Improvement of infrastructure in semi-arid areas which have tourist attractions e.g. N. Eastern Province.
2. Aggressive promotion and marketing of Kenya as a tourist destination in other countries which is done by (KTDC) Kenya Tourist Development Corporation and (KTB) Kenya Tourism Board.
3. Encouragement of domestic tourism by showing documentaries through the electronic media on Kenya’s tourist sites e.g. ‘Out and About’
4. Offering domestic tourists favourable rates of accommodation in the hotels during the off peak tourist season.
5. Beefing up security to ensure tourists don’t gain access to the country in order to make tourists to choose Kenya as their destination since their safety will be guaranteed.
6. Lowering tariffs levied particularly on food and accommodation in tourists hotels to encourage tourists to come and spend more days.

ENERGY

-The power required to carry out an activity e.g. diesel, electricity, etc.

Sources of Energy

-Classified into 2 types: renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.

Renewable Sources of Energy

-Which can be regenerated and used over and over again.

Types of Renewable sources of Energy

1. Sun
2. Wind
3. Water (geothermal, hydro power, tides and waves).
4. Biomass (wood, biogas)
5. Animals.

Sun

Energy from the sun is called solar energy.

The sun is the primary source of all types of energy.

Solar radiation can be converted into 2 types of energy.

Heat

Solar panels are used to tap solar energy which is then used to heat water in coiled pipes which are inside which are painted black.

Mirrors are used to converge rays of the sun on one spot which are then used to heat water or cook food in a pot.

Suns rays are reflected and focused on crops to dry them.

Electricity

Photo- voltaic cells are used which when sunlight shines on them they generate electricity which is then stored in batteries.

Advantages of Solar Energy

1. Cheap because it’s obtained from sunlight which isn’t paid for.
2. Requires minimal maintenance once tapping equipment has been installed.
3. It doesn’t pollute the environment like fossil fuels (environmentally friendly)
4. Can be stored in batteries and used when there is no sunlight.
5. It’s inexhaustible i.e. available as long as the sun continues to shine.
6. Available in all parts of the world.

Disadvantages

• Can’t be used to run heavy machinery.
• Tapping equipment e.g. solar panels are expensive to buy.
• The batteries which it’s stored in are cumbersome to carry around.
• It fluctuates in various seasons throughout the year.
• Large numbers of solar panels are required to produce useful amounts of energy.

Wind

Wind energy is mainly used in arid and semi-arid areas where wind flow isn’t obstructed by vegetation.

• Wind is harvested using wind mills and converted into mechanical energy which is used for pumping water, grinding grain and generating electricity.
• Wind energy is also used to propel ocean going vessels e.g. dhows.

Advantages

• It is an inexhaustible source of energy.
• It doesn’t pollute the environment.
• Land between the windmills can be used for other purposes.
• Can be produced on small scale basis for local consumers.

Disadvantages/ Problems.

Wind mills for harvesting it are expensive to buy and install.

The equipment for harvesting is relatively expensive to maintain.

Many windmills are required to provide a significant amount of electrical energy.

It fluctuates when the strength and direction of wind changes.

The large tracts of land it requires (wind farms) alter the environment beauty.

It’s not available in many areas except in open areas.

Water

Geothermal Power

Steam from underground is heated when in contact with hot rocks.

The steam finds its way to the surface through fissures or cracks.

The steam is tapped and used to turn turbines and thus generate electricity e.g. at Olkaria in Kenya.

Advantages

Cheaper as no fuel is required to turn turbines.

It is Continuous.

It’s inexhaustible unlike hydro-power which depends on water levels.

The cost of operating geothermal power station is low compared to hydro-power station.

A good supplement for other sources of energy.

Disadvantages

1. Causes noise pollution from generation plant.
2. Not available in many areas where there aren’t hot springs and geysers.
3. Gases released with steam may pollute the environment e.g. sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia, etc.
4. Its exploration is expensive because it requires expensive technology.

Hydro/Water-power

-Power obtained from falling water.

-Most widely used renewable source of energy.

-Used to generate electricity (HEP) when falling water is directed to turn turbines connected to generators to produce electricity.

Advantages

• It doesn’t pollute the environment.
• It’s inexhaustible.
• Hydroelectric power can be transmitted over long distances using cables.
• Dams for HEP generation create lakes which can be used for recreation, irrigation and fishing.
• HEP can be used for many purposes e.g. transport, cooking, etc.
• It’s reliable because significant levels of energy are produced.
  

Disadvantages

1. Affected by fluctuation of water levels in reservoirs.
2. Construction of HEP generation dams displaces many people.
3. It causes inconvenience to migratory species of fish.
4. The cost of constructing and running hydro-power plants is high.
5. Dams may break and destroy a lot of property and lives downstream.
6. Not available throughout the world.

Tides and Waves

-Dams are built across an estuary.

-Incoming and outgoing tides rotate turbines and electricity is generated in similar way as hydro-power.

Biomass

-All forms of energy released by plants and animal wastes.

Wood
fuel

Firewood, charcoal and saw dust which are used for cooking and heating.

It can be exhausted if its cut at a higher rate than they are being replaced. so it requires management if it has to be sustained.

Advantages of Wood

1. It’s a cheap source of energy.
2. Available almost throughout the world.
3. No maintenance cost is needed.
4. Ashes from burned firewood can be used for plastering houses and as a fertilizer.

Disadvantages

1. Dirty because when burning it gives off smoke and soot.
2. Pollutes environment through the gases it emits.
3. Requires a big storage area.
4. Its overexploitation leads to deforestation leading to problems of soil erosion, global warming and shortage of water.

Power Alcohol

Agricultural wastes e.g. straw, molasses and cassava are fermented to produce power alcohol which is directly used to heat or blended with gasoline to run machines.

Biogas

Human and animal wastes are used to produce methane (biogas) through fermentation which is used for cooking and lighting.

Advantages of Biomass

1. An inexhaustible source of energy.
2. Fuels are efficient and relatively clean.
3. Cheap because it makes use of waste products.
4. Production of biogas is cheap as it doesn’t require advanced technology.
5. Biogas gives twice as much heat as natural gas.
6. Slurry left behind when biogas is being made can be used as fertilizer.
7. Available throughout the world.

Disadvantages

1. Biogas digesters require a lot of space and can’t be set in congested areas.
2. Can’t be transported to distant places.
3. Contributes to pollution which causes global warming.

Animals

Examples of Animals and Their Uses

1. Oxen for ploughing and pulling carts.
2. Horses for transporting by riding on their backs.
3. Donkey for transporting of goods on their backs or by pulling carts.
4. Camel for transporting goods and people on their backs.
5. Elephant in Burma and India for transporting logs from forests

Advantages

1. Inexhaustible because animals keep multiplying as a result of production.
2. Available in all parts of the world.
3. Cheep to maintain as they only require food and water.
4. Animals are flexible because they are able go through forests and narrow paths unlike motor vehicles.
5. Some are slaughtered for meat when they outlive their usefulness e.g. oxen, camels etc.

Disadvantages

1. They are prone to diseases and fatigue.
2. They can die as a result of too much work.
3. Their use is restricted only to rural areas.
4. They can only transport small loads.
5. They can only do limited work because they tire easily.

Non-renewable Sources of Energy

-Sources of energy which are exhaustible if they aren’t well managed.

-They include petroleum, coal and uranium.

Coal

-A black or brown rock made of carbon.

• Mud, sand and other materials are deposited over vegetative matter such as tree trunks and branches.
• Deposited material prevents decomposition and also exerts pressure on it causing great heat.
• Peat layers are formed which gradually change into coal.

Usage of coal has declined due to:

1. Discovery of other forms of energy such as petroleum.
2. Exhaustion of old accessible mines.
3. High cost of mining coal.

Advantages of Coal

1. More efficient in thermal generation of electricity than oil.
2. Most suitable in the smelting of iron.

Disadvantages

It leaves a lot of dirt on any surface it touches.

It leads to formation of smog and smoke which is a health hazard.

Its mining leads to environmental degradation.

Petroleum

–Consists of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons from animal and vegetation matter laid on sedimentary rocks.

Natural gas and petroleum are extracted from the same oil wells.

Petroleum is refined to get by-products such as motor oil, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, jet fuel, lubricants, liquid and petroleum gas.

Natural gas occurs alone or is found on the upper layers of crude oil.

It’s a mixture of hydrocarbons with methane making about 90% and other gases such as propane, ethane and butane.

It’s used for domestic purposes, generation of thermal electricity and for industrial activities.

Advantages

1. A clean source of energy to use.
2. Cheap to transport by pipes to distant areas.
3. Transport and maintenance costs are low.
4. Easy to use as one needs only switches and burners.
5. Free of the effects of weather changes.

Disadvantages

1. An exhaustible source of energy.
2. Accidental fires can occur incase the gas leaks or the pipe is damaged.
3. It can greatly pollute the environment incase of accidental fires occurrence.
4. Expensive for low income groups.

Uranium

-A naturally occurring radioactive material used to produce nuclear energy in fusion and fission in reactors.

A lot of heat is produced and the water used to cool the heat producing core is heated and turns into steam used to generate electricity.

Advantages

1. It’s a long lasting supply of raw material.
2. It produces large amounts of energy.
3. It doesn’t produce green house gases.

Disadvantages

1. It’s expensive to construct a nuclear reactor.
2. Wastes from a nuclear power station are difficult to dispose because they are radioactive for 100 years.
3. It is an exhaustible source of energy.

HEP Projects in Kenya

Factors Favouring Development of HEP

Physical Factors

1. A large and constant volume of water such as R. Tana and its tributaries.
   
2. Can be located on areas with falling water such as on rapids, water falls, and Knick points.
3. Deep and narrow valley. Deep to ensure a large capacity for the reservoir and narrow to minimize the cost of constructing the dam.
4. Hard basement rocks to reduce the amount of infiltration and also to provide a strong foundation for the dam.

Human Factors

Area for dam and reservoir construction should be sparsely populated to minimize the cost of relocating people.

There should be presence of industries and urban areas to provide market for electricity to make the project economically viable or bring a profit.

Construction of an HEP station requires adequate capital because it’s expensive to construct a dam, to maintain it, to transmit power and to compensate the displaced people. Kenya is financed from external source e.g. Sondu Miriu which is financed by Japanese government.

When referring to Kenya you should say: ‘There is presence of …’

Development of HEP in Kenya

By the dawn of independence there was few industries and hence low demand for electricity.

Few HEP stations available were set up to supply power for agricultural processing.

The earliest stations were Mesco on R. Maragua, Ndula on R. Thika and Sagana on R. Sagana.

The rest of power supply came from diesel plants in Kipevu.

There was power which was being imported from Uganda which was connected in 1955.

Demand for electricity increased as more industries were established.

The country opted to use her water resources to provide electricity and reduce her reliance on power from Uganda.

R. Tana was identified as the one with the largest potential.

Seven sites appearing as a cascade were identified along the river where the Seven Forks Scheme was launched.

• Kindaruma was the first project to be established which was completed in 1968.
• Kamburu followed which was completed in 1974.
• Gitaru was next which got completed in 1978.
• Masinga which is a multipurpose project was completed in 1981. It has the largest lake. It’s a reservoir for the rest of the dams downstream and the water is also used to provide water for irrigation.
• Kiambere was the last station downstream completed in 1988.
• The other proposed power stations to complete the Seven Forks project are Mutonga and Grand Falls.
• The other HEP stations are Turkwel Gorge on R. Turkwel which was completed in 1991 and Sondu- Miriu which was expected to be completed in 2008.

It’s the main source of electricity accounting for 72% of power production.

The stations are maintained by Ken Gen which sells power to KPLC which distributes it to consumers at a fee.

Benefits of Tana River Projects

1. The reservoirs provide power for irrigation and domestic use.
2. The dams promote transport by serving as bridges across the rivers.
3. The dams are a tourist attraction e.g. Masinga tourist lodge provides recreational facilities.
4. The dams provide fresh water fisheries.
5. The projects have generated employment to people thus raising their standard of living.

Problems Facing the Tana River Projects

1. Shortage of capital to purchase spare parts which has interfered with maintenance of machinery in the power house.
2. Fluctuation of the water levels of R. Tana due to drought in the catchment areas and evaporation due to flowing through the dry Nyika region which affects power generation.
3. Siltation of dams which occasionally blocks the tail race tunnels leading to a low volume of water and dredging is required which is expensive.
4. Inadequate skills and technology which causes failure to maximise on power production.

HEP Projects in Uganda

It has the largest renewable fresh water resources in E. Africa.

It is endowed with numerous rivers and lakes with high potential of electricity generation.

The country receives an average of 1000mm of rain throughout the year.

R. Nile which flows out of L. Victoria has the highest potential.

Where it flows out it has provided a natural water fall.

Owen Falls Dam was built on the site in 1954.

It’s the Africa’s largest storage dam.

It supplies most of Uganda‘s electricity (162MW) and exports 30MW to Kenya.

The presence of power was a catalyst to industrial development e.g. Njinja town a few metres from the dam became a scene of several industries to use the cheap electricity nearby.

The country is developing another power station below the Owen Falls.

Kikagat River to the south provides power around Mutukula and Kabale areas in S.W Uganda.

Mobuku River supplies most of the power used in the copper mines at Kilembe.

HEP Projects in Africa

Africa has the largest concentration and potential areas of HEP generation. The potential hasn’t been utilised due to:

1. Inadequate financial resources. Where the projects are to be established the countries seek external borrowing of money which is paid for many years overburdening the concerned countries.
2. Some of the potential areas being in remote areas far away from densely populated areas and industrial areas.
3. Some of the countries are lowly industrialised which means there isn’t adequate market for HEP making the venture economically unviable.
4. Some of the rivers with potential for HEP generation don’t have constant volume of water throughout the year due to seasonal fall of rain which affects power generation.

Some of the major projects are:

• Aswan on R. Nile
• Kariba (shared among Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Cabora Bassa on R. Zambezi.
• Kainji on R. Niger
• Akosombo in R. Volta (Ghana)
• Owen Falls (Uganda) and Sennar on R. Nile
• Vanderkloof on R. Orange
• Inga and R. Le Marinel on R. Congo.

HEP Projects in Tanzania

• Nyumba ya Mungu dam and Hale dam on R. Pangani.
• Kagera
• Malagasi

Geothermal Power Projects in Kenya

Geothermal electricity is generated in areas which experience Vulcanicity where:

• Magma or hot rocks come into contact with percolating water.
• The water is heated beyond its boiling point (superheated).
• The steam escapes through cracks and holes to the surface
• The steam is harnessed using pipes and used to turn turbines that drive electric generators.

In Kenya areas with the greatest potential for geothermal power are found within the Rift Valley from L. Magadi to L. Turkana on Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Geothermal power generation is carried out at Olkaria to the south of Naivasha.

It accounts for 10% of the country’s power needs.

Other potential areas are:

• L. Bogoria which has the highest potential with numerous hot springs and geysers by it shores.
• Eburu to the north of L. Naivasha
• Menengai crater region
• Areas around L. Baringo
• Magadi
• South of L.Turkana.
• Between mountains Longonot and Suswa

Problems of Energy Development in Kenya

The aim is to reduce overdependence on imported oil.

1. Inadequate capital which causes the country to seek external borrowing of money which is paid for many years overburdening the country.
2. Small market for power because of the high cost of connection which prevents its horizontal spread.
3. Seasonal fluctuation of water levels in dams due to low rainfall on catchment areas and some rivers flowing through dry areas where much of water is lost through evaporation which leads to inconvenience to consumers because of power rationing.
4. Regular siltation of dams due to deposition of soil which requires regular dredging which is quite expensive.
5. Location of some power generation plants in remote areas making it expensive to transport power for long distances.
6. There is limited spread of solar power in rural areas because the equipment is expensive to install and lack of acceptance because it fluctuates with seasons.
7. There is lack of acceptance of wind power and many people use diesel to pump water instead of it.
8. There is problem of overexploitation of wood fuel as a result of population increasing at a faster rate which has led to deforestation leading to soil erosion and reduced amounts of rainfall as a result of the effect on water cycle.

Significance of Energy

1. For domestic use e.g. wood and charcoal for cooking and heating, etc.
2. For use in industries e.g. electricity, petroleum, etc.
3. Used in transportation e.g. electric cars, diesel and petrol used in motor vehicles, etc.
4. Used in agriculture e.g. diesel for tractors which draw ploughs, electricity for milking machines, etc.
5. Used in water supply where diesel engines wind mills and solar power is used to pump water.
6. Used for medical purposes where electricity is used to run equipment for diagnosis e.g. X-Ray and scanning machines and in refrigeration to preserve specimens on medicine research.

The Energy/Oil Crisis

Situation whereby the demand for oil is higher than the amount that is being supplied leading to high oil prices.

Causes

• Over-reliance on petroleum and its products.
• High oil prices due to sharp rise in oil demand.
• Economic and political sanctions
• Uncertainties in oil supplies to consumers.
• Rapid depletion of oil reserves.
• Conflict in the Middle East especially between Israel and Palestine.
• Exhaustion of wood fuel
• Mismanagement of energy
• Oil production limits set by OPEC
• Artificial shortages by countries like Russia and USA relying on oil from other countries and conserving their own.

Examples of Energy Crisis in the Past

• 1973 and 1974 when there was war between Israel and Arab countries. The Arab countries which are OPEC members withheld oil supply to Israeli supporting countries e.g. USA and the result was sharp increase in oil prices.
  
• 1991 first Persian Gulf war caused by triggered by Iraq invasion of Kuwait caused by:
  

1. Iraq’s claim that Kuwait was its territory.
   
2. Kuwait was taking oil from Iraq’s oil from Rumaila fields which lay beneath both countries.
   
3. Kuwait was exceeding the oil production limits set by OPEC.
   

Many Kuwait’s oil fields were set on fire and Iraq dumped about 465 m gallons of Kuwait’s crude oil to the Persian Gulf.

There resulted a major oil crisis which was worsened by the trade embargo.

• 2003 second Persian Gulf War. Iraq had failed to destroy weapons of mass destruction which she had agreed to do for the 1991 war to end. The war led to a rapid increase in oil prices from US$35 at the start of war to US $50 by 2004. It forced OPEC members to increaser daily crude oil outputs by 8% to stabilise prices.
  

Impact of Energy Crisis

1. Increase in the prices of many commodities as a result of increase in the cost of production and transportation where oil is used to provide power and as a raw material in some industries.
2. Increase in the prices of imports due to high crude oil prices which affect the balance of trade by causing earnings from exports to be lower than the cost of imports.
3. High rates of inflation or devaluation of currency as a result of commodity prices rising high due to the cost of imports being passed to the consumers.
4. Industries are forced to lay off workers because of the high cost of production which can cause losses.
5. It causes the price of other forms of energy e.g. charcoal and gas also to become expensive.
6. Developing countries running into heavy dept as a result of borrowing heavily to pay for oil loans which are paid at high interest rates making the country unable to invest in development projects.
7. Decrease in agricultural production as a result of decrease in the use of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers due to their high cost brought about by increase in oil prices.
8. Decline in the number of tourists as a result of escalation of oil fares making it very expensive to travel.
9. Environmental degradation as a result of environmental degradation brought about by the high demand for charcoal and firewood which leads to soil erosion and low rainfall amounts.

Solutions

1. Developing alternative sources of energy e.g. solar, biomass, Geothermal and HEP.
   
2. Management and conservation of energy.
   
3. Developing nuclear energy to enhance self sufficiency in energy provision.
   
4. Encouraging industries to use coal which is slightly cheaper than petroleum.
   

Management and Conservation of Energy

Management of energy is effective planning and control of energy resources.

Management Measures

1. Control of importation of vehicles with large engine capacity which consumes a lot of fuel.
2. Encouraging many people to use public transport in order to reduce the number of vehicles on roads and thus fuel consumption.
3. Educating people through mass media to create awareness on the importance of conserving energy.
4. Improvement and proper planning of road network to reduce traffic jams in which a lot of fuel is wasted.
5. Agroforestry, afforestation and reafforestation programmes to reduce overexploitation of natural forests.
6. Banning logging, selective felling of trees and resettling people who have settled into forests.

Conservation of Energy

Conservation of energy is using available energy resources in the most effective manner to ensure there isn’t wastage.

Conservation Measures

1. Putting off electricity gadgets when they are not in use.
2. Proper motor vehicle maintenance in order for them to use fuel efficiently.
3. Encouraging use of public transport which carries many people at a go e.g. buses.
4. Encouraging use of renewable sources of energy e.g. solar, wind and biogas to save on oil and wood.
5. Encouraging use of energy saving stoves which use little charcoal and produce a lot of energy.