21 Mar 2018
The Government of Tanzania has
decided against building a soda ash factory on the shores of Lake Natron, thus
ending a ten-year struggle of the fate of the waters.
By Margaret Sessa ...
Last week, the conservation world
received some extremely good news when the Government of Tanzania decided to
abandon plans to construct a soda ash factory at Lake Natron, the most significant breeding
site for Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) after becoming aware of
the potential impacts. BirdLife International congratulates the Government of
the United Republic of Tanzania on the decision, and their commitment to
safeguarding flamingos.
“The government move validates
our ongoing collaboration to promote ecotourism as a sustainable alternative
for local communities at Lake Natron”, said Patricia Zurita, BirdLife
International’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “Through a three-year Darwin-funded
project, a long term plan to help coordinate ecotourism as well as boost
management capacity is already underway. BirdLife looks forward to continued
positive engagement with the Government of Tanzania.”
Located in Northern Tanzania,
Lake Natron is the ‘it’ spot for Lesser Flamingos. Although many plants and
animals eschew the waters, which frequently reach temperatures above 40° C and
are so alkaline as to burn skin, it’s paradise
for flamingos, where the high salinity just means more food. Roughly 75 percent
of the world’s Lesser Flamingos are hatched at the lake, and
tourists flock to see the incredible ‘pink parade’ that results when flamingos
strut around doing their mating dance.
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