![]() ![]() All depend on Tanzania's Lake Natron as a breeding site.įood is plentiful, nesting sites abound – and above all, the lake is isolated and undisturbed. ![]() In 2006, the Tanzanian Government and the Indian company Tata Chemicals put forward proposals to build a large-scale industrial plant to extract soda ash from Lake Natron's water, via a network of pipes across the surface of the lake. New road and rail infrastructure would also be built to serve the soda ash plant. Thankfully in May 2008 Tata withdrew from the project. But the Tanzanian Government remained committed and the National Development Corporation, a government agency, led a push to find alternative investors. We believe that the development and associated infrastructure will displace and scatter the 500,000 pairs of lesser flamingos which nest at Lake Natron. It takes very little disturbance to cause an entire breeding colony to abandon its nests. In March 2018, the Government of Tanzania announced that they were withdrawing plans to build the soda ash plant at Lake Natron, but would promote an alternative site at Engaruka, some 30 miles (50 km) south of Lake Natron.Īdditionally, the livelihoods of local communities would also be at risk. This is good news for the lesser flamingos at Lake Natron. The number of birds at this site are staggering - there are thought to be between 2.2 million and 3.25m lesser flamingos in the world, of which between 1.5m and 2.5m are found in East Africa where Lake Natron is the only significant and regular breeding site.ĭue to habitat loss and contamination, we are already seeing a decline in the global population of lesser flamingos, so the impact on the species could be disastrous if Lake Natron were to become unsuitable for nesting: 75 per cent of the global population of this Globally Threatened Species would be at risk. We therefore need to do all we can to protect this precious place. Lesser flamingos feed on Spirulina, which is commonly known as blue-green algae (although in fact it is bacteria!). Spirulina sometimes gives Lake Natron a pink colour. It grows only in salty lakes like Lake Natron which is known as a soda lake because of its high concentration of sodium carbonate.įlamingos live until they are about 40 years old, but only breed every five or six years. Non-breeding birds do not return to breeding sites until they are ready to breed again. The bird spectacle attracts tourists to the national parks of Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. The tourist industry around Lake Natron alone is worth US$500,000 per annum excluding associated spending. Visits to the area are likely to increase if the soda ash proposal is rejected. Lake Natron is a wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. The best times to visit are the relatively cooler months of June – August.The lesser flamingo is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List since 2004. It is possible to arrive at the summit by sunrise and return before the temperatures climb too high. A midnight start is normally involved as a way of avoiding the heat. This hike is a great reprieve from the staggering heat and you will find the swim quite refreshing. However, after a few hours you’ll reach a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by steep rock walls – showered by cascades of spring-water and overlooked by palm trees. There’s a bit of gentle scrambling involved, and you’ll get a bit wet crossing the river a few of times along the way. This walk winds up through a shady gorge (very welcome in the heat) between steep cliffs. There is an opportunity to walk up to the Engero Sero Waterfalls. This highly saline lake supports many micro-organisms and a blue-green algae with red pigments which attracts a very large number of flamingos. On the far side of Lengai, you will arrive at Lake Natron. Preceded by some small extinct volcanoes, you will come by Kerimasi Crater and Ol Doinyo Lengai (“mountain of god”), an active volcano rising from the surroundings. The desolation broken up by some scattered Maasai dwellings scattered here and there. However, the adventurous tourists that venture here are rewarded by being truly off the beaten track and will be surrounded by some fabulous scenery. Surrounded by rolling hills and deep craters, the lake water is with a alkaline level close to that of ammonia. The area has the distinction of being incredibly dry and dusty. Located about 3 hours by vehicle from Mto wa Mbu (town nearest to Lake Manyara), this area is part of the famous Great Rift Valley of Africa. ![]()
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