Conservation projects news from the World Land Trust, an international wildlife conservation charity working to protect threatened wildlife habitats worldwide.
Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania supports the local communities' vow to protect Lake Natron and its unique population of Lesser Flamingos.
Flamingos at Lake Natron, threatened by the proposed soda extraction development. Click on the image to see a larger version. Photo by hansco used under Creative Commons Licence.Villagers living around Lake Natron in Tanzania have reaffirmed their pledge to protect 'their' lake from the development of an environmentally destructive soda ash extraction plant on its shores. Lake Natron is a salt lake located in northern Tanzania and the only known breeding ground for 2.5 million endangered Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor).
Back in 2007, a multinational company began making plans to develop a soda extraction plant that would use the sodium carbonate in the production of washing powder for export. In 2008, a community delegation from Lake Natron rejected this proposal. In October, the community claimed their stand remains.
World Land Trust partner, The Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) proposed instead the development of an environmentally-sensitive tourism industry. Lesser Flamingos are very sensitive to disturbance and the implementation of a soda ash extraction plant in the area would seriously threaten their survival. Such a development could wipe out one of the highlights of East Africa's natural heritage and drive the East African Lesser flamingo to extinction.
WCST has called for the support of stakeholders and governments in the development of a small-scale tourism to enable the Natron community generate a sustainable income. Taking advantage of the natural beauty of this region and sensitive use of the lake for tourism will provide income for the local community and ensure the survival of the fragile and beautiful wildlife that it supports.
Labels: Tanzania
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World Land Trust (WLT) made a visit to East Africa in mid February, with John Burton, CEO and Ruth Canning, Conservation Projects Officer meeting two potential project partners.
For many years supporters of the WLT have been urging us to get involved in Africa, but despite several visits we have never managed to identify a suitable project or a suitable partner with whom to work, but that is now set to change.
Nature Kenya, and the Tanzanian Wildlife Conservation Society, are both relatively small, but very active locally managed conservation NGOs, who have a strong interest in community land-based conservation projects.
WLT's John Burton and Ruth Canning with Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FoKP), a local site support group for Nature Kenya.Protecting Grasslands in Kenya
Nature Kenya is developing a proposal to acquire small pockets of privately owned grasslands in the highlands near Lake Naivasha. These grasslands are rapidly disappearing and are home to endemic and endangered wildlife, and in particular, the few hundred surviving Sharpe's Longclaws. John was lucky enough to see this rare bird during his visit. Rather like a skylark with a yellowish breast, it is very difficult to see, and when flushed it flies off as fast as it can and immediately hides. But, just as the skylarks of Great Britain, they are important indicator species and should be protected at all costs. Their grassland habitat is being ploughed up for cash crops - which also displaces traditional cattle grazing.
With strong community backing this project has a good chance of success and every 6 acres will protect another breeding pair of Sharpe's Longclaws.
The "Bunduki Gap", which will be reforested thanks to funding provided by the WLT. Click on the image to see a larger version.A Forest Corridor in Tanzania
Meanwhile in Tanzania, we propose to use funds already raised for restoration purposes to create a corridor of 263 acres (106.5 ha) between two sectors of the Ulugurus Forest reserves. The Uluguru mountains are home to numerous endemics, the best known of which are the African violets: the ancestor of the popular house plant. The surrounding habitats are impacted by human population growth, and, in the long-term, help with community development is going to be essential to prevent encroachment into protected areas.
More information on these new project initiatives will be available on the website in due course.
Labels: Kenya, Tanzania
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