Lake Naivasha
21.01.2025
Lake Naivasha
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For Prelims: About Lake Naivasha, What is Water hyacinth? |
Why in the news?
Kenya's popular Lake Naivasha is getting impacted by the water hyacinth that has taken over large parts of it.
About Lake Naivasha:
- It is a shallow freshwater lake located in the southern Rift Valley in Kenya.
- It is considered to be of recent geological origin and is ringed by extinct or dormant volcanoes.
- It is fed by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil Rivers, which drain the Aberdare Mountains of central Kenya.
- Flora: Cyperus papyrus, a reed-like swamp vegetation, line much of its shoreline, with variable areas of submerged plants such as Potamogeton species, and floating rafts of the exotic water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes.
- Fauna: It is supporting a diverse community of waterbirds and many large mammals.
- In addition to the invaluable freshwater, it also supports large-scale and vital economic activities, mainly flower growing, fishing and geothermal power generation.
- It is designated as the Ramsar site.
What is Water hyacinth?
- The water hyacinth is native to South America and was reportedly introduced to Kenya in the 1980s.
- It is known to thrive in the presence of contaminants and grows quickly, and is considered one of the most invasive plant species in the world.
- It can prevent the penetration of sunlight and impact airflow, affecting the quality of aquatic life.
Source: The Hindu
With reference to Lake Naivasha, consider the following:
1. It is a freshwater lake located in the southern Rift Valley in Kenya.
2. It is drained by the River Nile.
3. It has been designated as a Ramsar site.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None
Answer B