Tanzania, July 6 -- Morogoro. "We never knew that farming here means destroying a water source."

That reflection by residents of Lumemo Ward in Ifakara Town Council captures growing recognition that years of unregulated farming, brick-making, tree cutting and charcoal burning within wetlands have contributed to environmental degradation in the Kilombero River Basin.

An investigation carried out by The Citizen shows that limited awareness of wetland conservation has significantly driven the deterioration of one of Tanzania's most important ecological zones, which supports food production and feeds water systems linked to the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP).

In Lumemo, residents say they have long cultivated up to water sources...