Lesotho Flashcards
1
Q
What is the LHWP?
A
- Lesotho Highlands Water Plan
- Treaty between SA and Lesotho signed in 1986
- aims to reverse southerly flow of Senqu and Orange rivers, redirect to Vaal River in SA
- Waters ends up in Gauteng Industrial region of SA
2
Q
What structures are part of the LHWP?
A
- 5 dams
-200km of pipelines - water pumping stations
3
Q
What are the positives of the LHWP?
A
- South Africa pays Lesotho royalties for the use of its water
- This is then invested in school, roads and enhancing the local water supply
- Reducing the river flow in Lesotho reduces the risk of flooding in Lesotho river basins
- Lesotho is provided with 90MW of HEP from dams
- 7000 jobs were created by the project’s construction and maintenance
4
Q
What are the advantages of treaties?
A
- have the potential to protect smaller stakeholders concerns
- prevents unequal power relationships from existing
5
Q
What are the downsides of the LHWP?
A
- $8 bn spent on the project
- Maloti minnow is endangered, habitats are threatened by damming
- allows trout to move into their habitats
- may go extinct due to this
- Diversion of river results in ~60% drop in water flow from source
- results in river having higher concentrations of polluted discharge
- larger risk of stagnation thus eutrophication and deoxygenation of water
- 30 000 people were affected by construction work
- 325 households relocated
- 3400 ha of pastures was lost
6
Q
Why does Lesotho have so much water?
A
- Lies 1000m above sea level
- relief rainfall on landscape
7
Q
What is the economic state of Lesotho?
A
- 40% of population lives below poverty line
- > $1.25/day
- 50% rely on informal farming as opportunities are limited
- Males seek mining work in SA and send remittances back home