TATA chemicals is drawing flak from conservation groups and environmentalists in Africa over its plan to set up a soda ash factory in collaboration with the Govt. of Tanzania.
It is feared that this project(for which a MoU has been signed) may drive the worlds rarest bird (Phoenicopterus) to extinction.
TATA -after disrupting the peace of Singur, Bastar and Munnar has now widened its zone of destruction to overseas-Tanzania....
The plant is proposed to be set up on the shores of Lake Natron in North Tanzania at its border with Kenya, will mine soda from the lake to prepare soda ash (Calcium Carbonate).Conservationists claim that this will disturb the lake's chemical composition and fragile ecosystem that is protected as "Ramsar Site" since 2001.
Thi project may also create a rift between tanzania and its neighbouring country, Kenya.Kenya is vehemently resisting the project saying that tanzania prevented it from Building a dam on river Swaso Nyiro, the main freshwater source for the salty lake, in 1990.Tanzania had raised concerns about the dam's impact on the lake's ecosystem.
Uganda and Ethiopia also oppose the move, arguing that the project will ruin the Flamingo tourism industry in the entire region.
It will also disrupt the region's indegenous Masai tribe that freely travel over Kenya-Tanzania border in search of Pastures for their livestock.
According to the terms of the agreement ,the plant will be operational by 2010.The soda ash facility will also generate associated units producing glass, soap and detergent- leading to more air and water pollution.Such a project is not viable on a sensitive ecosystem like Lake Natron.It's impact on biodiversity, community livelihoods, natural resources and tourism in Eastern African region will be adverse and long term.
It will also pump out about 530 cubic mts. of brine out of the lake every hour.Water is a critical resource for local Masai community whose lifestyle centres on their livestock that is their primary food source. In 15 hours the plant will consume water to meet needs of approx. 40,000 heads of livestock.Influx of people once the plant begins ,will create more pressure on natural resources.
Is it a mere coincidence that TATA is targetting tribal areas, forests, sensitive ecosystems and the poor man's land?First in India and now overseas....
Is It because the poor man has no voice?At the cost of wiping out natural vegetation and the habitat of animals and humans alike, a project will take birth-to ruin, to destroy, to denude the earth of its natural glory.
Source:Down to Earth
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