Tanzania is pushing ahead with the implementation of the soda ash extraction project near Lake Natron in the northern region, defying protests from environment watchdogs over the destruction of habitat for migratory birds.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is implementing the stalled project, aiming to extract about a million tonnes of soda ash per year for supply to local factories, which have been importing the product.
Soda ash is used in the manufacture of glass, powdered detergents and soaps, rechargeable batteries, fertilisers and pharmaceuticals.
Tanzania imports soda ash mostly from Botswana and other countries outside Africa.
In 2006, the government proposed extracting soda ash in Engaruka Basin near Lake Natron, but the proposal was withdrawn after opposition from the Birdlife Partnership and other organisations.
The factory, which was to be built and operated by Tata Chemicals of Mumbai and which would feature a grid of pipes running across Lake Natron as well as infrastructure for workers on the lake’s shore, was put on hold in 2008 after protests from environment lobbies.
Lake Natron is located in Engaruka Basin, about 160 kilometres northeast of Arusha city, and is home to migratory birds, mostly lesser flamingos flying between Rift Valley lakes in East Africa.
The Engaruka Basin is part of northern Tanzania wildlife conservation area that includes Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park, and which are leading sources of tourism revenue for Tanzania.
The government was, in earlier discussions with Tata Chemicals, to set up the $450 million soda ash factory through a joint venture arrangement in which Tanzania would hold a 46 percent stake.
Green activists have since 2007 been campaigning to stop the plan, which they said would threaten East Africa’s only remaining significant breeding site for the lesser flamingos. They warned that the proposed plant could wipe out the breeding grounds of the threatened species, putting at risk 75 percent of the global lesser flamingo population.
Sticking to its guns, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has revived the plan. The Minister Selemani Jafo visited the area on January 10 to inform the residents about the government’s plan to revive the project.
The Ministry of Trade said in its report this week that the government had allocated Tsh14.4 billion ($5.7 million) for the project.
It said 595 residents of four villages, Engaruka Chini, Mbaash, Idonyonado and Irerendeni, would receive Tsh6.2 billion ($2.5 million) as compensation to pave the way for the factory construction.
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