Save Afican's Flamingos- campaigns

[Lunyungu]

Save Afican's Flamingos- campaigns
Dear Travellers,
Birdlife, Animals and Natural Resources Conservator!
Please, read this article and take serious action by Serving Lasser Flamingos at Lake Natron...

"2 November 2007 was an important day for Africa’s flamingos. A group of experts appointed by the Tanzanian Government met to review the findings of a study on the development of Lake Natron for soda ash extraction and make recommendations on the next steps to the Minister of the Environment of Tanzania.

BirdLife International sent detailed objections to the proposed development plans. We asked people to relay their concerns to the authorities in Tanzania. Thanks to your help the experts have recommended to the Minister of the Environment that further study is required on the environmental and social impacts on Lake Natron.

The BirdLife International Partnership will monitor closely the ongoing review and seek to provide more information on the development plans....

Importance of Lake Natron...
"Lake Natron is the only breeding location for Lesser Flamingoes because its caustic environment is a barrier against predators trying to reach their nests. The temperatures in the mud can reach 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), and depending on rainfall, the alkalinity can reach a pH of 9 to 10.5 (almost as alkaline as ammonia). Even more amazing than the ability of the flamingoes to live in these conditions is the fact that an endemic species of fish, the alkaline tilapia (Oreochromis alcalica), thrives in the waters at the edges of the hot spring inlets".

Threats to the salinity balance from increased fresh water influxes will come from projected logging in Natron watersheds and a planned hydroelectric power plant. Although development plans include construction of a dike at the north end of the lake to contain the fresh water, the threat of dilution to this breeding ground may still be serious.

A new threat to Lake Natron is the proposed development of a soda ash plant on its shores. The plant would pump water from the lake and extract the sodium carbonate to convert to washing powder for export. Accompanying the plant would be housing for over 1000 workers, and a coal fired power station to provide energy for the plant complex. In addition, there is a possibility the developers may introduce a hybrid brine shrimp to increase the efficiency of extraction.

According to Chris Magin, the RSPB's international officer for Africa 'The chance of the lesser flamingoes continuing to breed in the face of such mayhem are next to zero. This development will leave lesser flamingoes in East Africa facing extinction'. Currently a group of 20 East African conservation and environmental institutions are running a world wide campaign to stop the planned construction of the soda ash factory by Tata Chemicals Ltd of Mumbai, India and National Development Corporation of Tanzania. The group working under the umbrella name Lake Natron Consultative Group is being co-ordinated by Ken Mwathe, Head of Ecology at African Conservation Centre.

You can support BirdLife's Think Pink campaign.

1. Send a letter or fax: Express your opposition to the proposed salt ash development on Tanzania's Lake Natron by sending a letter or fax. Either, alongside thousands of others, will make an enormous difference.

Write to the Tanzania Minister of Environment, asking him to reject the proposal on grounds of severe environmental impact. Please send your letter to: Rt Hon Mark Mwandosya, Minister for Environment, Vice President's Office, PO Box 5380, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA. Fax no. +255 22 2128749

Please copy correspondence to:
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, PO Box 9372, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Fax +255 22 2123158

The Director General (Ag) National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Tencot House (3rd floor), Sokoine Drive, PO Box 63154, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Fax +255 22 2111579

The CEO/Co-ordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania, PO Box 70919, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Fax +255 22 2124572

Hazell Shokellu Thompson, Head of BirdLife's Africa Division, BirdLife Africa, PO Box 3502, 00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya. Fax +254 (20) 856 2246

Mr Homi Khusrokhan, Managing Director , TATA Chemicals Limited, Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400 001, India. Fax +91 22 6665 8143 / 44

2. Find your BirdLife Partner: It may be that the BirdLife Partner that exists in your country or territory is already involved in BirdLife's Think Pink campaign by collecting signatures, or petitioning on your behalf. To find out more about the organisations within BirdLife's global Partnership you can click

http://www.birdlife.org/action/campaigns/lake_natron_flamingos/index.html

 

[Jamco_Za]

Baada ya report ya mazingira walikubali kukisogeza kiwanda watakuwa wanaextract na kukeba arsh kupeleka kiwandani badala ya kukijenga palepale ziwani ambako ni breding area ya flamingo

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Hao flamingoes wameishakwisha. Wakubwa wamepania hata mseme nini! Any intervention katika ziwa lile ni death sentence kwao. Wajukuu zetu watasimuliwa tu wakiwashangaa kwenye ma'zoo' na parks huko magharibi.

 

[Savimbi]

..Kwamba hata haka kamwongozo Kajamhuri ya Tanzania; hakana nguvu tena...


Division of Environment:


Functions

The Division of Environment has the following overall functions:-

§ Formulation of policy on Environment

§ Coordination and Monitoring of Environmental issues

§ Environmental Planning

§ Policy-oriented Environmental Research



Environmental Policy:

§ National Environmental Policy, 1997.

The overall objectives of the National Environmental Policy are:-

- To ensure sustainability, security and equitable use of resources for meeting the basic need of the present and future generations without degrading the environment or risking health or safety;



- To prevent and control degradation of land, water, vegetation, and air which constitute our life support systems;



- To conserve and enhance our natural and man-made heritage, including the biological diversity of unique ecosystems of Tanzania;



- To improve the condition and productivity of degraded areas including urban and rural settlements in order that all Tanzanians may live in safe, healthful, productive and aesthetically pleasing surroundings;



- To raise awareness and understanding of the essential linkages between environment and development, and promote individual and community participation in environmental action

kanakopatikana: http://www.tanzania.go.tz/naturalresources.html

 

[Savimbi]

..Kwamba hata haka kamwongozo Kajamhuri ya Tanzania; hakana nguvu tena...


Division of Environment:


Functions

The Division of Environment has the following overall functions:-

§ Formulation of policy on Environment

§ Coordination and Monitoring of Environmental issues

§ Environmental Planning

§ Policy-oriented Environmental Research



Environmental Policy:

§ National Environmental Policy, 1997.

The overall objectives of the National Environmental Policy are:-

- To ensure sustainability, security and equitable use of resources for meeting the basic need of the present and future generations without degrading the environment or risking health or safety;



- To prevent and control degradation of land, water, vegetation, and air which constitute our life support systems



- To conserve and enhance our natural and man-made heritage, including the biological diversity of unique ecosystems of Tanzania;



- To improve the condition and productivity of degraded areas including urban and rural settlements in order that all Tanzanians may live in safe, healthful, productive and aesthetically pleasing surroundings;



- To raise awareness and understanding of the essential linkages between environment and development, and promote individual and community participation in environmental action

kanakopatikana: http://www.tanzania.go.tz/naturalresources.html

 

[Lunyungu]

..Kwamba hata haka kamwongozo Kajamhuri ya Tanzania; hakana nguvu tena...


Division of Environment:


Functions

The Division of Environment has the following overall functions:-

§ Formulation of policy on Environment

§ Coordination and Monitoring of Environmental issues

§ Environmental Planning

§ Policy-oriented Environmental Research



Environmental Policy:

§ National Environmental Policy, 1997.

The overall objectives of the National Environmental Policy are:-

- To ensure sustainability, security and equitable use of resources for meeting the basic need of the present and future generations without degrading the environment or risking health or safety;



- To prevent and control degradation of land, water, vegetation, and air which constitute our life support systems;



- To conserve and enhance our natural and man-made heritage, including the biological diversity of unique ecosystems of Tanzania;



- To improve the condition and productivity of degraded areas including urban and rural settlements in order that all Tanzanians may live in safe, healthful, productive and aesthetically pleasing surroundings;



- To raise awareness and understanding of the essential linkages between environment and development, and promote individual and community participation in environmental action

kanakopatikana: http://www.tanzania.go.tz/naturalresources.html

Mimi naulizia juu ya uzalendo tu mioyoni mwa Watanzania .Kwa nini mambo haya tuache wazungu ndiyo wafanye kampeni sisi tuko wapi ? Watoa vibali je ? Wataalam wetu ni wazalendo kiasi gani ?

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Mimi naulizia juu ya uzalendo tu mioyoni mwa Watanzania .Kwa nini mambo haya tuache wazungu ndiyo wafanye kampeni sisi tuko wapi ? Watoa vibali je ? Wataalam wetu ni wazalendo kiasi gani ?

Jibu,Mkuu, ni hakuna. Angalia ni wangapi ambao wamejisumbua hata kusoma thread hii katika this most enlightened of fora? Sisi ambao tunajisifia tuna uchungu sana na hatma ya nchi yetu? Unfortunately, uzalendo wetu unaextend only so far. Wote tu wapenzi wa soundbites na habari za mipasho. Tunawashupalia wanaokwapua vijisenti wakati urithi wetu unateketezwa chini ya macho yetu! Yuko wapi mbunge wa eneo hilo kwenye hili? Kimyaaaaaa.

Hicho alichokifanya huyo tunayemwita fisadi kinaweza kugeuzwa lakini haya yanayofanyika Lake Natron, Serengeti, Bagamoyo are for keeps. Tukishaharibu hakuna namna ya kurekebisha. Mungu ainusuru nchi yetu Tanzania.

 

[Jamco_Za]

Watanzania ukitaka wakusikilize siku hizi njoo na habari za mafisadi tu, issue sensitive kama hawajari hata kidogo. Tumejaa kwenye siasa kuliko sehemu nyingine ufisadi ukifanya kwenye maeneo kama haya hakuna mtu anayejali kwa sababu hauonekani mara moja ni madhara yanayotea muda mrefu.

 

[Savimbi]

Mimi naulizia juu ya uzalendo tu mioyoni mwa Watanzania .Kwa nini mambo haya tuache wazungu ndiyo wafanye kampeni sisi tuko wapi ? Watoa vibali je ? Wataalam wetu ni wazalendo kiasi gani ?

..Mwaharakati Lunyungu; hivi wewe tangu umekuwa hapa Tanzania umeshaona tunaweza kufikia Maamuzi ya Juu...Ukienda TBS watakwambia TV kutoka kule wanakobadilisha majina Kutoka SONY kwenda SONYI na Kutoka PHILIPS kwenda PHILIBS; jamaa zetu wanaziruhusu wakidai zina Kiwango cha Kimataifa. Kuthibitisha hayo Mh. JK kaenda kuwaalika watuletee mpaka maua plastic wakati KILIFROLA, Tengeru Flower waendelee kupeleka Majuu. vivyo hivyo na huko kwenye mazingira tunahitaji kusaidiwa na weupe..maana sisi tukidanganywa na faida itakayopatina kwa muda mfupi, tunakubali bila utafiti wa kina: Swala la Shughuli za Kimaendeleo Ziwa Natron hata ukimuuliza mtoto mdogo anajua kabisa lina madhara kwa viumbe:

Faida inayopatikana kwa watalii wanaotembelea eneo lile inatosha kabisa kuliingizia taifa pesa za kigeni: hivyo shughuli za maendeleo Karibu na Natron ama mbali na pale. Hazifai!

Labda Mh. Lembeli hajawaelewesha madhara yake, ama wamepuuza mawazo yake...maana ni mwana Tanapa.

Wewe unafikiria hizo CRATER zinazokuja kujitokeza miaka ijayo baada ya Migodi ya madini kufungwa zitakuwa nyingi kiasi gani?

Faida itokanayo na Madini na Utalii hazitoshi mpaka ile ya kuwekeza Lake Natron ndiyo itainua Uchumi wa Tanzania..teh! teh! teh!..wamalize hapo wakawekeze Lake Manyara kwenye Hot Spring (Maji Moto)..baadae tutafute wateja wa barafu za Milima Kilimanjaro.

Uzalendo kwetu ni kitu kigumu;PHD's zetu niza ku-quote..acha wale Jamaa wanaojiita watafiti waendelee kutusaidia kwenye Maliasili zetu!

Serengeti Lion Research...Tarangire Duma Research...Ngorongoro Rhino Research..nk

 

[Savimbi]

Jibu,Mkuu, ni hakuna. Angalia ni wangapi ambao wamejisumbua hata kusoma thread hii katika this most enlightened of fora? Sisi ambao tunajisifia tuna uchungu sana na hatma ya nchi yetu? Unfortunately, uzalendo wetu unaextend only so far. Wote tu wapenzi wa soundbites na habari za mipasho. Tunawashupalia wanaokwapua vijisenti wakati urithi wetu unateketezwa chini ya macho yetu! Yuko wapi mbunge wa eneo hilo kwenye hili? Kimyaaaaaa.

Hicho alichokifanya huyo tunayemwita fisadi kinaweza kugeuzwa lakini haya yanayofanyika Lake Natron, Serengeti, Bagamoyo are for keeps. Tukishaharibu hakuna namna ya kurekebisha. Mungu ainusuru nchi yetu Tanzania.

hapa umenena!...kwani nami nilikuwa najiuliza kitu kama hicho ni kwanini Watanzania siwepesi kujihusisha na swala la kunusulu?..badala yake likishatokea ndiyo tunakwa mstari wa mbele..mpaka tunataka tuandame kuelekea bungeni kupinga Mh. AC asiingie Bungeni eti katuhumiwa kwa ufisadi!! Mhh1!! badala ya kuandama kupinga Kujengwa kiwanda Natroni; baadae litakapo husiwa na mazingira ya Ufisadi ndiyo mbele tena!!

..Kuna mmoja anasign kwa kusema " Wacha wafu wazike wafu wao"..ni kweli pia

 

[Mwakilishi]

Kwa ujumla Watanzania tuna knee-jerk reactions. Kwa maneno mengine ni kwamba hatuko pro-active, tunasubiri mambo yaharibike ndipo tuanza kushughulikia. Hulka hii ipo katika levels zote za jamii ya Kitanzania, mkuu wa Kaya akiwa kinara mwenyewe. Yaani tuna-operate kama Fire Dept. Moto ukishawaka ndio kazi inaanza... Kwa hiyo katika hii issue ya Lake Natron mwendo ni uleule.

 

[Mama]

haya jamani NDC wamesema mwezi huu wanaanza kazi, hawajali cha flamingo wala nini.NDC na Tata wanalazimisha kuanzisha hicho kiwanda, je kina faida gani au ndio kuchukua na kuondoka watuachie mashimo? Jamani hawa watu wa TAWIRI na NEMC meshindwa kabisa kuzuia hicho kiwanda kisianze kazi? au wanaplan gani ya conservation?




["http://beta.ph.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080505/tbs-tanzania-flamingos-7318940.html"]

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Hakuna anayejali. Sasa ngoja hao flamingo watakapopotea uone wanaharakati wa JF watakapokuwa mbele kupiga kelele za "kamata fisadi!" Kama mbunge wa eneo hilo, huyo maarufu kwa kulipua mabomu,yuko kimya unategemea hao NEMC na wengine watakuwa na ubavu wa kufanya kitu.

Theluji ya Kilimanjaro inayeyuka,Serengeti tunajenga air strip na mahoteli, Ngorongoro nako tunaongeza mahoteli, Bagamoyo kwa Mheshimiwa ndio kunaondoka,tunafikiria kujenga bwawa la umeme Stiegler Gorge litakalozamisha sehemu kubwa ya Ruaha natinal park na kuathiri kwa kiasi kikubwa pori la 'mangrove' Rufiji Delta, makazi ya wahadzabe tumeyauza n.k n.k. Yote haya yanatendeka bila kificho lakini watanzania tumejazana kushupulia visenti. Sikio la kufa,kweli, halisikii dawa.

Kama una uwezo, Mama, nenda ukawapige picha hao flamingo ili uje uwaonyeshe wajukuu zako jinsi gani tulivyochezea urithi wao.
Mungu atusamehe kwa haya tunayoyatenda.

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Kuna thread nyingine inahusu athari ya pollution huko Geita kutokana na uchimbaji wa madini. Watu 33 ndiyo waliojisumbua kuiangalia! Ingekuwa kuhusu Karamagi na Buzwagi ungeona laana jinsi ambavyo zingemwagwa lakini wanavijiji wa Geita? Kimya. hata kusikia hatutaki. Sisi watetezi na wenye uchungu na nchi yetu! tuna tofauti gani na hao tunaowalaani? Si tunachosikitika ni kuwa hatukuwepo katika huo mkao wa kula? Wako wapi hao wapinzani? Missing in Action kama walivyo katika issue ya flamingoes! Wote ni wale wale tu.

 

[Mama]

Kuna thread nyingine inahusu athari ya pollution huko Geita kutokana na uchimbaji wa madini. Watu 33 ndiyo waliojisumbua kuiangalia! Ingekuwa kuhusu Karamagi na Buzwagi ungeona laana jinsi ambavyo zingemwagwa lakini wanavijiji wa Geita? Kimya. hata kusikia hatutaki. Sisi watetezi na wenye uchungu na nchi yetu! tuna tofauti gani na hao tunaowalaani? Si tunachosikitika ni kuwa hatukuwepo katika huo mkao wa kula? Wako wapi hao wapinzani? Missing in Action kama walivyo katika issue ya flamingoes! Wote ni wale wale tu.

Fundi, hili nakuunga mkono. Nadhani labda ni priority na advocacy. Je ni watu wangapi wanajua kuwa watalii huja kuwaona flamingo na hivyo kuongeza pato la taifa (ambalo baada ya hapo mafisadi wanajichukulia)

Mimi kwa mawazo yangu ilikuwa afadhali mara mia na saba sabini na saba huo mradi usianze kwani hakuna kitakachooza. Nadhani pia wengi wetu hatujui madhara yatakayotokea kiikolojia kama hawa flamingo watapotea, mwisho wa siku hata sie wanadamu twaweza dhurika kwa njia moja ama nyingine. Zaidi ya hayo huo mradi ni wa kuwanuafaisha kina nani? Hebu huo makataba uwekwe hadharani tuone chachu na chungu ili tuamue wote kusuka au kunyoa.

 

[Savimbi]

12th May 2008: Tata withdraws Natron project ESIA Report

Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL) has finally withdrawn the much discredited Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report for the proposed Lake Natron soda ash plant. The development has been opposed by national NGOs in Tanzania, the Lake Natron Consultative Group (a consortium of 32 mainly East African NGOs), BirdLife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB; BirdLife in the UK), for posing serious threats to the survival of Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor and the livelihoods of local communities.

In an apparent response to these concerns, the company told a stakeholder meeting hosted by the World Bank in Dar es Salaam last week that they had asked the Tanzanian government to disregard the earlier report. Mr Rahul Singh, the new TCL Project Manager, said: “We have turned down the earlier ESIA report and we have requested the government to throw away the original report as we are working on new studies on the matter.”

During the meeting - attended by a wide range of donors, media, government personalities and the private sector -Lota Melamari, the CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST, BirdLife in Tanzania) presented a strong case for the complete abandonment of the project in a presentation entitled "Flamingos of Lake Natron, a Tanzanian Treasure". In his talk, Lota described Natron’s vast flocks of shimmering pink flamingos as one of the world’s greatest wildlife attractions. “This resource must not be destroyed”, said Lota.

At the same meeting the Tourism Services Manager of the Tanzania Tourist Board, Ms Serena Shao, warned that Tanzania may not achieve its tourism targets if key attractions are destroyed. “The soda ash proposal must be critically analysed given that Tanzania currently earns over 1billion US dollars from tourism. Our dream of attracting one million tourists by 2010 may not be achieved if we damage key attractions like Lake Natron “, she said.

In response to the investor’s withdrawal of the project, the new Environment Minister of Tanzania (Dr Batilda Burhani) called a press conference on 1 May 2008 and issued a government statement in which she warned that while the investors were free to conduct a fresh ESIA, they should be aware that unless their report satisfied environmental and social concerns, no approval would be granted. Dr Burhani further said that a new ESIA must be preceded by the development of an Integrated Management Plan for the Lake Natron Ramsar Site which would spell out the future conservation and development agenda for the area.

BirdLife International, the RSPB and the Lake Natron Consultative Group welcome the investor’s decision to withdraw the initial ESIA report submitted to NEMC. We also laud the new Minister’s quick response and commend her for being responsive to stakeholders in general on this matter. However, we hold the view that Tata Chemicals Ltd and its Tanzanian partner the National Development Corporation should have withdrawn the project altogether. Shifting the project 32 km away from Lake Natron does not amount to “mitigation” of the serious impacts the project is likely to pose to the Lesser Flamingos and the local communities. The project impacts are not limited to the operations of the plant alone but the whole process of brine extraction (including an intricate network of pipes and roads on the surface of the lake as is the case at Lake Magadi in Kenya), pumping and processing.

In a related development, the Lake Natron Consultative Group of which the BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat is a member, has stepped up its advocacy campaign to save Lake Natron following the investors' announcement that the project will be shifted to a new site. The Group held an International Press conference in Nairobi last week and declared that it was opposed to the plans by the investor to continue with plans for development of the soda ash plant by shifting the site 32 km away from Lake Natron. “The Group plans to engage the organs of the East African Community in debate to prepare them for possible discussion of the matter by the Council of Ministers and to lobby the Speaker and Members of the East African Legislative Assembly to support the Group’s position” said The Group’s Coordinator, Ken Mwathe

BirdLife International’s position still remains that the risks posed by the proposed project are extremely serious in relation to the lesser flamingos breeding and therefore urges the Tanzanian Government to reject the project altogether.

Source: BirdLife International

Hawa Viongozi wa NDC wangekuwa na uzalendo kama anaouonyesha Mzee Lota, ingekuwa bora.

Hapa baadae watakapogundua wameuvaa mkenge, Jamaa yetu Pinda atakapoulizwa na Waandishi anathubutu kusema 'Wataalamu wetu wa Kusoma Mikataba ni butu" wakati sasa hivi wanaelezwa ukweli hawataki kusikiliza.

Nadhani iko haja ya kuwataka Wabunge walishikie bango jambo hili kabla ya hiyo ESIA mpya haijaandaliwa!

 

[LazyDog]

12th May 2008: Tata withdraws Natron project ESIA Report



Hawa Viongozi wa NDC wangekuwa na uzalendo kama anaouonyesha Mzee Lota, ingekuwa bora.

Hapa baadae watakapogundua wameuvaa mkenge, Jamaa yetu Pinda atakapoulizwa na Waandishi anathubutu kusema 'Wataalamu wetu wa Kusoma Mikataba ni butu" wakati sasa hivi wanaelezwa ukweli hawataki kusikiliza.

Nadhani iko haja ya kuwataka Wabunge walishikie bango jambo hili kabla ya hiyo ESIA mpya haijaandaliwa!

Apart from the damage that would result from that amount of water consumption, hilo la mikataba nalo linaleta mashaka sana.

Akijibu maswali ya wahariri hao kuhusu masuala mbalimbali, Waziri Mkuu alirudia kauli yake aliyoitoa bungeni mwezi uliopita kuwa wahusika wa kashfa ya Richmond watachukuliwa hatua kama ambavyo wamependekeza wabunge, lakini hilo litakwenda hatua kwa hatua.

Mojawapo ya hatua hizo ni suala la uingiaji wa mikataba ambalo alisema linaonyesha Watanzania hawana ujuzi nalo, na akapendekeza katika mchakato wa kusaini mikataba, kuwe na kamati huru ya wataalamu binafsi itakayopitia na kutoa mapendekezo kabla ya mikataba kusainiwa.

Alipinga wazo la mikataba hiyo kupelekwa kwanza bungeni, akisema chombo hicho cha kutunga sheria kitapoteza jukumu lake la msingi na kujiingiza katika matatizo. "Hatujalala, ila hatuwezi kukamata watu; kuwaweka ndani na kuchukua mali zao kama baadhi ya watu wanavyopendekeza.


SOURCE

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Ingawa katumaini kameingia, nina wasiwasi kuwa tuna'postpone the inevitable.'

 

[Mpita Njia]

Can we do something?

 

[Power to the People]

There was an EIA hearing mwanzo wa mwaka huu cha ajabu waliokwenda huko apart from NGO representatives walienda viongozi wa vijiji vinavyozunguka ziwa hilo hakukuwa na kiongozi wa juu wa serikali na mbunge wa huko Bw Lekule sijawahi hata kumsikia akiongelea hili swala.