The East African Law Society (EALS) has opposed plans to build a soda ash plant at Lake Natron in Tanzania. The project, a joint venture between India“s Tata Chemicals and the Tanzanian goverment, wi…
The East African Law Society (EALS) has opposed plans to build a soda ash plant at Lake Natron in Tanzania. The project, a joint venture between India“s Tata Chemicals and the Tanzanian goverment, will be called Lake Natron Resources, with Tata Chemicals holding the majority stake. EALS has petitioned President Jakaya Kikwete over the threat to the lake, which is world-famous for flamingos. The lawyers have urged Mr. Kikwete to suspend the project to give way for consultations. On 18 July 2007, EALS president Mr. Tom Ojienda said the project would be a major threat to the flamingos. Mr. Ojienda said lawyers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda had petitioned Mr. Kikwete to reconsider the decision. Speaking in Nakuru, Mr. Ojienda said a rare species of flamingos would be endangered if the project is allowed to proceed. “The lake is the breeding ground for flamingos which later migrate to other water masses”, said Ojienda. Mr. Ojienda condemned the proposals for the plant at Lake Natron saying it would have a direct effect on the neighbouring countries tourism and ecosystem. Lake Natron hosts more than 500,000 lesser flamingos in summer, or 75% of the world“s breeding population. The lake, which is near the Kenyan border in the Rift Valley, is rich in salt, vitamins, and bacteria, which the flamingos feed on. On 18 July 2007, Mr. Ojienda said if the project is allowed to proceed, Lake Nakuru, which is one of the most visited tourist sites because of flamingoes, will be adversely affected. “Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita, and Bogoria are synonymous with flamingos and the project would spell doom for them”, said Mr. Ojienda. Mr. Ojienda, the immediate former Law Society of Kenya chairman, said since the East African Community was moving towards integration such projects should be carried out after consultations.