Mike Mande
12 November 2007
Construction of the controversial multimillion dollar soda ash processing plant at Lake Natron - a joint venture between the Tanzanian government and Indian based Tata Chemicals - is off, at least for now.
By its action, the government seems to have bowed to pressure from international donors and conservationists who were vehemently opposed to the project citing the likely adverse effects to the environment.
BirdLife International communications officer Jules Howard told The EastAfrican that the developers have been ordered to produce a new and better environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and consider other sites for soda ash extraction.
He said that officials in Tanzania are to assess plans for a soda ash plant on Lake Natron and make recommendations to the government and appropriate conservation associations.
"They will advise Environment Minister Mark Mwandosya on whether to allow the developer to pump more than 100,000 litres of freshwater and 550,000 litres of brine (saltwater) from the area every hour, for the production of soda ash," he said.
A temporary lifeline has been also thrown to the one million lesser flamingos of Tanzania's Lake Natron, threatened by huge industrial development on their most important breeding site in the world. The lake is said to be the only breeding site in East Africa for the birds.
The decision, a victory for conservation and the donors, could now see the Tanzania government review its earlier ESIA after considering recommendations of the National Environmental Management Council.
Homi Khusrokhan, managing director of Tata Chemicals Ltd, told The EastAfrican from Mumbai, India that the firm was aware that Lake Natron project would be either in or close to an ecologically sensitive area and that it has engaged reputable conservation associations before proceeding with the project.
Mr Khusrokhan said Tata would also abide by the environment management plan of Ramsar Wetlands, when the Tanzanian government draws it up.
The company will seek the advice of eminent experts in ornithology, such as the Species Survival Commission of IUCN on the Lesser Flamingo, and proceed in accordance with their advice. There will be total transparency in the process," he said.
According to Mr Khusrokhan, Tata has not yet settled on a suitable site for the location of the plant but has committed to experts that the ultimate location will be at an appropriate distance from the lake and will be outside the Ramsar Boundary.
The Tanzania government's decision comes in the wake of protests from international donors, conservationists and neighbouring states who said the proposal was misguided and would harm the environment of the areas.
It comes after a meeting of conservation groups, national parks and the EU, representing donors, where most asked that the development be rejected because of the risk of driving away the flamingos, harming other species and irreversibly damaging Lake Natron, which is protected by international law.
The developer - the Lake Natron Resources Ltd - earlier planned to build a coal-fired power station, road and rail links and housing for 1,200 construction workers at the site, a development that looked to seriously harm tourism in three countries - Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia - and cause Lake Natron's international wetland designation to be withdrawn.
But Sujit Patil, communications officer of Tata Chemicals said the firm would not introduce brine shrimps into the lake nor build a pipeline grid within the lake. The firm said the brine would be drawn through limited extraction points in the lake depending on hydrology studies.
Mr Patil said that the source of fresh water for the plant will not be within the Ramsar boundary, but will in all probability be ground water that is extracted at a place away from the lake.
"There will be no effect on the inflow of fresh water into the lake as a consequence of setting up the project. Additionally, the company is presently exploring sourcing power from the Tanzania grid and ways of minimising human load in the vicinity of the plant," he said.
Lake Natron Resources Ltd, a joint venture firm between the Tanzania government and Tata Chemicals, was to develop the $400 million investment project for the extraction of 500,000 tonnes of soda ash annually.
Tata, which owns majority shares in Kenya's Magadi Soda Company, also intends to build tarmac access roads, a pipeline to carry soda slurry across the lake and living quarters for an estimated 1,225 construction workers and 152 permanent staff.
On completion, the plant will consume 11.5 Megawatts and use 106,000 litres of fresh water per hour.
A study by the East African Lake Natron Consultative Group found that tourists drawn to the region to see Lesser Flamingos contributed $12 million annually. Tourism to Lake Natron alone is estimated to be worth $500,000 per annum, excluding associated spending and potential ecotourism opportunities.
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