Assesing the feasibility of turning abandoned quarries and pits in the Tala-Kangundo area into fish ponds

Abstract

The Tala-Kangundo area is located in Machakos district, central Kenya about 50 km ENE of Nairobi and is bounded by latitudes 1o 10’S and 1o 22’ S and longitudes 37o 10’E and 37o 22’E. Its geology is comprised of volcanic, metamorphic and sedimentary lithologies varying in age from Precambrian to Quaternary and Recent. Mining of especially the tuffs found in the area is a major economic activity. However, this mining is usually done randomly and haphazardly without any proper planning or environmental considerations. This leaves the area degraded and poses a great danger to the health of the people as well as their economic and social well-being. Reclamation of this land is therefore of high importance and should be done in all urgency. Aquaculture is one of the practices that can be applied in averting this situation. Whether and how it can be applied, the requirements and processes entailed and the benefits of aquaculture to this area are the main issues addressed in this paper.