One of the world’s most spectacular wildlife attractions could be under serious threat if the government of Tanzania approves plans for a US$400million soda ash plant to be built close to Lake Natron, an important habitat and breeding ground for between 1.5 and 2.5 million lesser flamingos, according to a newly formed coalition of African environmental groups.
 
The leaders of 23 African environmental institutions, calling themselves the Lake Natron Consultative Group, have signed a petition urging the government to turn down proposals from Lake Natron Resources, jointly owned by the Tanzanian government and Indian company Tata Chemicals, that could see 100,000 litres of freshwater and 550,000 litres of saltwater being pumped from the ecosystem every hour in order to produce soda ash, an alkaline substance used to make glass and washing detergent.

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, if the development goes ahead, it will result in a chemical imbalance in the lake, affecting the flamingos’ favoured food source, a type of cyanobacterium called spirulina.

As Geographical went to press, the plans were on hold pending the results of a second environmental impact assessment ordered by Tanzania’s National Environmental Management Council following international pressure.

January 2008