Dar es Salaam Marine Ecology Conservation Project

1: Dar es Salaam Regional and City Profile

Location: Dar-es-Salaam (DSM) lies in the eastern part of Tanzania mainland, located between latitudes 6027’ and 7015’ South of equator and between 390 and 39033’ east of the Green Witch Meridian line. It lies between 6.34’ and

7.10’ South on the West Indian Ocean coastline, stretching about 100 km between the Mpiji River to the north and beyond the Mzinga River in the south, enclosing a land of 1,350km2. The region is divided into three Municipal Districts, namely Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke that are subdivided into 72 wards.

Population: DSM is the commercial capital and largest urban center in Tanzania. It has an estimated population of 3.5 million people, Ilala 800,000, Kinondoni 1,200,000 and Temeke 1,500,000. Since 1988 the average growth rate has been about 8% per annum. The total number of households is about 547,000 with an average size of 6.4 persons. 70% of the population lives in 40 unplanned settlements.

District	Population
Ilala	800,000
Kinondoni	1,200,000
Temeke	1,500,000
Total	3,500,000

Source:Dar es Salaam City Council

Climate: DSM region has tropical equatorial climate, a mean annual temperature of 260C and an average humidity of 96% in the morning and 67% in the afternoon. The annual rainfall averages over 1000mm.

Morphological characteristics: The region is characterized by four distinct landforms:

(a) Shoreline & Beach: The shoreland immediately abutting the sea, comprising sand dunes and tidal swamps.

(b) Coastal Plain: A limestone coastal plain to the west of shoreland extending to the Pugu hills, overlain with clay bound Pleistocene with fairly uniform relief lying between 15 and 35m above sea level and slopes of less than 3%. Whilst extending 10kms to the west of the city, the plain narrows to 2kms at Kawe in the north before widening to 8kms at the Mpiji river, and varies between 8-5kms in width to the southwest where the relief is more irregular gradually merges into the more elevated head waters of Mzinga river. Lakes and ponds are scattered throughout this landform where rich clay soils and zero gradient impede natural drainage.

(c) Inland Alluvial Plains: Rivers originating from the Pugu hills to the east dissect the coastal plain in a series of steep sided U-shaped valleys, culminating in creeks and mangrove swamps before entering the Indian Ocean. Dar es Salaam harbor penetrating almost 10kms inland along the Kizinga and Mzinga creeks forming the principal topographical feature of the region. These valley soils are generally poorly drained silt clays enriched with organic matters.

(d) Upland Plateau: The deeply dissected Pugu hills, which bound the region to the west average 100 to 200m above mean sea level rising some 330m at some point, are characterized by steep weathered slopes and well drained of unconsolidated gravely clay bound soils.

Water Resources: The region contains watersheds of 4 major rivers. Mpiji River forms the northern boundary of DSM, Msimbazi River flows to the north of the city centre and Kizinga and Mzinga Rivers flow into the harbour area of the city. There are also smaller water courses such as Nyakasangwe, Tegeta, Mbezi, Sinza, Tabata, Minerva. Apart from a small pumping station at Mtoni on the Kizinga River, all regulated water comes from Ruvu River outside the city boundary. Due to the distance involved, there is high leakage and limited free flow. The region will always rely on external surface sources as groundwater is not only polluted from effluents but contains high degree of salinity. Whilst the primary function of these river systems is for drainage with only a small pumping station in Kizinga River, some streams are occasionally used as last resort water sources by poor families in unplanned settlements who cannot afford to purchase water commercially.

Industry: 80% of the nations’ industries are located in the DSM region. In 1999 there were 412 industries on the register of the Ministry of Industries and Trade, including some which may have since ceased to operate.

Industrial in Dar Es Salaam

Category	No. of industries
Food and beverage manufacturing, chemicals and cosmetics	162
Metal products	55
Textile mills, garments, leather and plastic products	90
Paper and paper products, printing, publishing and allied industries	33
Wood and wood products	17
Building and construction materials	14
Electrical appliances, battery industries	12
Animal feeds	8
Motor/vehicles assembly and maintenance	10
Glass and Glass products	5
Ginnery and tobacco	3
Mineral	2
Petroleum refineries	1

Source: Ministry of Industries and Trade. (International Standards: Industrial classification of all economic activities Part II List of major Divisions, Divisions and major groups).

Tourism:The coastal climate is favourable to beach tourism. In DSM there are more than 13 tourist hotels, and new ones are under construction, with a total of 5,000 beds. The main ones include the Sheraton Hotel, New Africa Hotel, Kilimanjaro Hotel (now inoperative), Silversands Hotel, Whitesands Hotel, Jangwani Beach Hotel, Haven of Peace Hotel, Sea Cliff Hotel, Africana Hotel, Kunduchi Beach Hotel, Bahari Beach Hotel, Oysterbay Hotel, Karibu Hotel. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism and the Tanzania Tourist Board, the annual average number of tourist is about 201,000 with average annual expenditure of US$ 190 million.

Commercial and Industrial activity and the "Informal Sector": Until the 1980s, the main commercial and industrial areas were mainly those designated by the Urban Master Plan of the City, covering an area of some 170 ha for the Central Business District and over 2000 ha for the and industrial areas. By 1992, industrial sites sprawled and doubled in size; small scale commercial, industrial and service units mushroomed throughout the city, in response to high urbanization and rising unemployment in the formal sector, occupying city center

pavements, road junctions, transportation terminal sites, as well as locations along arterial road reserves. The informal sector in DSM region is growing rapidly. In 1991, the Ministry of Labour and Youth Development counted more than 210,000 businesses with an average of 1.5 jobs per enterprise (Report on Self-help organization in the informal sector of the DSM, SIDO/GTZ Project, 1995). By definition many informal activities are low-cost, unregistered and escape official statistics; 95% of informal businesses are survival activities. Overall, the informal sector is estimated to generate over 32% of the officially recorded Gross Domestic Product. Earnings per worker are 2.6 times higher the minimum wages in the urban formal sector.

.Agriculture: Of the total area of DSM of 1,350km2, an area of 430km2 (or 32%) is taken up by urban development, 20km2 is forest land and 900km2 (or 67%) is rural only part of it in agricultural use. Agriculture is however the main activity within the region. Satellite image pictures suggest that as much as 23% of the area of the region is used for agriculture production.

Fishing: The total population of fishermen is disputed; estimates range from 3,000 - 50,000. This vast difference is explained by the small number of licensed fishermen relative to the much larger number of non- registered fishermen. Despite the number of rivers crossing the city and the few fresh water lakes and ponds, inland fisheries are limited. Offshore fisheries are extensively exploited by small-scale fishermen trawling and netting the coastal waters landing on average some 50,000 kg annually, marketed for more than TSh. 3.0 million.

The fishermen are divided into three groups: Wealthy fishermen owing fleet of boats with engines on board, nets and gear. They employ hired labour. This group comprises rich fishermen with resources to buy dynamite and use it in their fishing techniques together with trawling and small mesh nets. Small-boat owners fishing in shallow water near their villages for their livelihood and family consumption. Poor fishermen (the largest group) mostly employed boat owners as labourers.

Fish species caught in marine waters of DSM

COMMON NAME	REPRESENTATIVE SPICES	LOCAL NAME
Rays	Rhinoptera javanica	Taa
Flat fish	Psettodes	Goyogoyo
Sardine	Sardinella gibbosa	Dagaa
Thread fish	Polynemus spp.	Kupe
Cat fish	Arius spp.	Hongore
Half beaks	Hemiramphus spp.	Chuchunge
Mackerel	Rastrellinger kanagurta	Vibua
Parrot fish	Leptoscarus spp	Pono
Rabbit fish	Siganus spp.	Tasi
Scavenger	Lethrinus spp	Changu
King fish	Scomberomorus commerson	Nguru
Tuna	Auxis thazard	Sehewa
Jacks	Seriola rivoliana	Kolekole
Rockcod	Epinephelus spp	Chewa
Silver Biddes	Gerres spp	Chaa
Mullets	Mugil cephalus	Mkizi
Milk fish	Chanos chanos	Mwatiko
Cobia	Rachycentron canadum	Songoro
Sword fish	Xiphias gladius	Samsuli
Queen fish	Scomberdes	Pandu

Source: An Aquamarine Profile of DSM region by NEMC, 1995.

Quarrying: Sand, stone, limestone and clay are extracted in key locations for building and construction purposes. Salt is mined in the shore for domestic consumption. Approved sand quarrying areas include Mbagala, Chamazi, Pande, Twangomna, Majohe Makonge, Kitunda, Mpiji, Pugu and Bunju, with other more urban areas where mining is carried out unofficially such as Kawe, Mbezi beach, Tegeta Mtongani, Boko & Tabata. Stone is mainly extracted from Kunduchi, Mjimwema, Boko, Bunju and Kigamboni quarries, supplemented by small scale

family operations in disused quarries scattered throughout the urban area, especially in Msasani, Oysterbay & Masaki. Limestone is quarried from Wazo / Kunduchi outcrops for the Tanzania Portland Cement Company Ltd. at Wazo Hill cement factory. Clay is extracted from upper Msimbazi river valley for the manufacturing of bricks.

Estimated income: The average annual contribution of DSM region to the national GDP is reported at 33% and the per capita income at about TSh. 197,000 (National Accounts of Tanzania 1976-1994), both higher compared to other regions. The current average wage in DSM is 250 US$. The liberalisation of the economy, intended to stimulate private sector development and markets for goods and services, has contributed to rapid growth of informal sector activities that increasingly absorb working population released from the previously protected public and parastatal sectors. It is estimated that in the informal sector earnings per worker are 2.6 times higher minimum wages.

Health facilities: In this region health facilities are located in various parts of the area comprising both informal and formal health establishments. Despite improvements in medical practice, the informal sector still plays an important role in the community. The formal sector is run by various institutions including the Government, voluntary agencies, parastatal and other private organisations. There are in the region 429 health units that include 36 hospitals, 13 health centres and 380 dispensaries.

Distribution of hospitals, health centres and dispensaries in DSM region, 1997

	Number of hospitals
Facilities	Government	Voluntary agency	Parastatal	Private	Total
Hospitals	3	1	2	30	36
Health centres	4	2	2	5	13
Dispensaries	52	65	61	202	380

Source: An Environmental Health Profile for DSM region by NEMC 1998

General Environmental Sector Problems

Urbanization: Urbanisation is the most dynamic factor underlying most of the immediate causes of environmental degradation. Rapid urban population growth imposes heavy demands on the already densely inhabited housing areas, most of which are unplanned and lack organised sanitary and wastewater infrastructure systems. Urban population growth in DSM is currently around 8% per year outpacing the limited capacities of municipal authorities to supply adequate infrastructure facilities. It is estimated that 70% of the population live in over 40 unplanned communities covering an area of 10,000 ha. Uncontrolled disposal of wastewater and solid wastes is a common problem affecting water sources and living conditions in all unplanned settlements, particularly in settlements such as Manzese and Vingunguti. Outbreaks of water-borne diseases are frequent during the rainy seasons.

Domestic wastewater: DSM has no operative sewage collection infrastructure. The sewerage system is old and degenerated. It covers an area of 130km of sewer and consists of 11 networks supported by 17 pumping stations, including the City Center, parts of Sinza, Ubungo and Vingunguti. It was built in the late 1950's and its attempted rehabilitated in the period 1980–1988 has been unsuccessful. Sewage from the areas supposed to be served is discharged into oxidation ponds and directed to the ocean untreated. Poor managing of these ponds result in overflowing and spreading of sewer to the surroundings. Only 4 of the 8 oxidation ponds are considered to be operating (University of Dar-es-Salaam, Kurasini, Mikocheni and Vingunguti). Only 15% of the households are connected to the system. 80% of the households in the rest of DSM use on-site pit latrines and septic tanks. High water table in various parts of the city during the short and long rains further compounds the poor sanitary conditions with many pits overflowing into the drainage system emptied manually, often by the

families themselves and occasionally by private companies at a cost.

Industrial wastes: The rapid growth of informal sector activities, particularly workshops and repair establishments, generate industrial wastes in settlement areas and near rivers adjacent to coastal areas. Industrial development and more so small and medium size workshops are not subject to proper Environmental Impact Assessment due to institutional inadequacies relative to the sheer scale, pace of undetected nature of informal sector activities. Car washing activities are often sited near streams (e.g. Msimbazi river along Jangwani, near Kilimanjaro Hotel etc) discharging dirty water covered with layers of oil. At the ports ships

handle large quantities of oil with frequent oil leakage from Tazama Pipeline. Oil spills also occur during operational transfer of oil from tankers into receiving facilities. Within the city industries are concentrated mainly in the Mikocheni light industrial area, Nyerere road industrial area, Changombe industrial area, Morogoro Road industrial area, Mandela express industrial area and Mbezi along Ali Hassan Mwinyi road. Many industries discharge untreated effluents directly or through storm water drainage, river creeks and streams or estuary drainage into the sea.

• Msimbazi river has been found to be heavily polluted due to effluents from industries along Nyerere road industrial area (e.g. Vingunguti abattoir), Morogoro road (e.g. Tanzania-China Friendship Textile mill), Mandela road (e.g. Tradeco Ltd), Tanzania Breweries Ltd. Dar es Salaam plant, leachate from Vingutinguti crude dump.
• Karibu Textile Mill discharges its effluent to the Mzinga River.
• Leachate from closed Kabuma crude dump (in Temeke) flowed into

the ocean (now closed ).

The extent of industrial pollutants has not been quantified to provide further information.

Solid wastes: It is estimated that about 2,220 tons/day of solid wastes are generated in the city of DSM. Currently only 23% of the generated quantity is collected and disposed of to the Vingunguti crude dumpsite. Smoke, dust and intolerable smell is released to the nearby residential areas creating vermin and mosquito breeding, whilst lack of hazardous wastes separation contaminates ground water resources. Solid wastes are burnt and dumped in streets and open space (Changanikeni, Makumbusho, Mpakani road, etc) that further degrade living and health conditions. It is estimated that 64 million m3 of municipal wastes a year are disposed of into open channels that percolate into the ground or flow in rivers (Kishimba M. A, and Mkenda A., The Impact of Structural Adjustment Programs and Urban Pollution and Sanitation: Empirical Evidence from Tanzania Major Cities, and Njau G. J. and Mugurusi E. K., Towards Sustainable Environment in DSM: AMREF, 1995).

Production of solid wastes in the region

Source	Quantity (tons/day) 1995	Quantity (tons/day) 2000
Domestic	870	1020
Market	200	335
Industrial	100	240
Institutional	80	120
Commercial	50	130
Street cleaning	40	130
Car wrecks	30	50
Harzadous wastes	30	110
Hospital wastes	25	75
Construction wastes	5	15
Total	1430	2,220

Source: for year 1995:Kishimba M A, Mkenda a & Njau D J Sustainable Environment in Tanzania for year 2000: Dump Management at Vingunguti Dump.

Soil conditions and the high water table in the city intensify the vulnerability of the

environment to poor waste disposal practices. Systems for collecting domestic, institutional, commercial and industrial solid wastes are operating inefficiently, if at all. The city centre garbage collection service is now privatised, run by private companies as well as Community- Based Organisations and industries and other commercial enterprises. The Kabuma dumpsite close to the Indian Ocean was used until 1988. There have been problem in identifying suitable alternative site(s) for final solid waste disposal following the closure of other sites such as Tabata, Mbagala Kilungule, Kabuma and Kunduchi as a result of protests from residents. Since 1992 a new crude dump at Vingunguti has been used. This dump is located at residential area bounded by Msimbazi River and the residential area. The City Council has earmarked other places for disposing of solid wastes in Kunduchi Mtongani quarries in Kinondoni, Mbagala behind Saint Antony Secondary School in Temeke and Pugu Kajiungeni at old Aduco in Ilala. Scavengers search and collect refuse for re-use, some collect and cook food within the dump, build houses adjacent to the dump and even in the dump itself. Solid waste flows into Msimbazi River and finally into the ocean. As stated in FAO/UNEP Marine Pollution in East Africa Region:

“In Tanzania a few kilometers stretch of Dar-es-Salaam coast is polluted with sewage and industrial wastes. Faecal lumps and floating solids litter areas around the harbour……..a foul odour due to severe Oxygen depletion of the waters pervades the coastline. The natural flora and fauna within the polluted areas have been smothered” (page 5 para. 88)

Agricultural wastes: About 900 sq. km. of DSM are reserved for agriculture. Agriculture is still a major activity within the city. Application of agro-chemicals, disposal and run-off of wastes is uncontrolled. Contamination of soils, water sources and valuable resources is widespread. The national inventory on obsolete pesticides and unwanted chemicals conducted by NEMC 1997 revealed the presence of piles of stock of obsolete pesticides of about 127,000 kg. and 123,000 kg. of veterinary wastes in various water catchment areas or close to water bodies kept in leaked containers and stores. Soil erosion sediments reach the Ocean either directly or through seepage and runoffs or indirectly through the creeks and rivers. The level of concentration of these chemicals and the load of suspended materials in the rivers and estuaries has not yet been evaluated

Vehicle Traffic: Smoke emitted from cars pollutes the air. A study conducted in 1996 by NEMC through the Commission for Energy, Environment, Science and Technology (CEEST), revealed high levels of SO2 and Suspended Particulate Matters in some selected locations within Dar es Salaam. There is effective monitoring of air quality; industrial development, importation of vehicles, population growth and construction are likely to increase the problem.