Recently the BBC world reports disclosed that the effects of severe drought and climate change are having a remarkable impact on one of the world's great natural wonders, Victoria Falls.

During the Hardtalk by Stephen Sackur with Elisha Moyo, Principal Climate Change Researcher at Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Tourism, it was stated that the average flow over the falls in 2019 is down by almost 50%. Furthermore, Mr Moyo said that the low falls are becoming more frequent and it is possible before we know it, some year there will be no falls completely, no water.

The Victoria falls is shared by counties Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was first discovered by European voyager, David Livingstone in 1855. It is the major tourist attraction for Zambia as well as great source of revenue.

The falls is part of the Zambezi river and acording to popular sources it stretches up to 2,574 km along the Zambezi lying almost exactly halfway along the river, with the Zambezi then leaving the Falls and making its way east to flow into the Indian Ocean.

It is However, the largest curtain of falling water on the planet, one and a half times wider than Niagra Falls and twice as high.

On the Zimbabwean part it is a special place, a home to unique plant and animal life, some of which are indigenous to the area. Sources further disclose that equally their environment is unique, as the rainforest is the only place on earth where it rains all day and everyday. This is a direct result of the water vapour rising from the Falls, which then falls as rain in the rainfores.

Down stream, it benefits a lot of biodiversity, supports human settlement needs as well as many other direct or indirect beneficiaries . 

The 50% drying up of the Victoria falls by climate change will have serious implications on biodiversity and ecosystem it supports. Not only that it will greatly effect the tourism industry for the two interested as well as on the nation's revenue as it may already have.

As environmental advocates, we need to pay attension to such remarkable changes caused by climate change and advice for urgent, efficient as well as effective solutions. 

We need to ensure that water catchment areas are protected, deforestation without reforestation is held to check. Infrastructural works near water bodies must be avoided and proper sensitization must be undertaken to make the communities aware of the importance of preserving natural water bodies and heritage sites. 

Today it is the Victoria falls tomorrow it can be anywhere across the globe. It is not to pay attension and take action before it is almost and/or toltaly impossible to reverse.

Save the Victoria falls. Green Cheers