Abstract:
This study documented the human activities carried out in the protected zones of river Enyau
(within 30 m of river’s bank) and their influence on the quality of the river. Human activities in
the protected bank of river Enyau and the quality of the river were ascertained during a field
survey in March-May, 2019.The diversity of macrozoobenthic invertebrates per site and water
pollution levels were determined using Shannon-Weiner (H?) and Biological Monitoring
Working Party (BMWP) indices respectively. Fourteen different human activities dominated by
housing units (27%) were observed in river Enyau protected zones under study in Arua
Municipality. Ozu-Ediofe zone corresponding directly to Arua urban center recorded the highest
occurrence of the human activities(65.3%) which greatly reduced the macrozoobenthic
invertebrate diversity(H?=1.2) and caused pollution of river Enyau (BMWP=26.0)along that
zone. The downstream zones, Onduparaka (H? =2.24, BMWP=68.6) and Onduparaka-Ozu
(H?=1.57, BMWP=46.9) sites were both moderately polluted. On the other hand, the upstream
zones i.e. Ediofe-Pajulu Bridge (H?=2.52, BMWP=132.9) and Ragem Technical Institute
(H?=2.48, BMWP=96.2) were unpolluted and slightly polluted respectively. Hence, the
implementation of the existing river bank management guidelines should be strengthened in
Arua Municipality to ensure good quality of river Enyau and its sustainability. |
