Residents from Riakemuma village,Giasaiga sub-location in Sameta sub-county have been challenged to protect natural water sources against destruction by human activities.
Riakemuma village elder, Kasmir Maobe has decried cases where local residents destroy natural water sources with impunity through planting of water guzzling blue gum trees, denying local communities access to safe and clean drinking water from natural springs.
Speaking to this writer in the area, Maobe warned local community members of dire consequences of the law if found encroaching on natural water sources through cultivation of food crops and eucalyptus trees which guzzle a lot of water from the natural water sources leading to their extinction.
"I am challenging all community members within my area of jurisdiction to ensure all natural water sources are well protected against human interference through farming activities around those sources," said Maobe.
He reminded local communities that government policy warns anybody against interfering with natural water resources through human activities, especially cultivation and planting of water guzzling trees like the blue gum species.