Panel's Move Has Flamingo Fans Tickled Pink

Abstract

An international effort to protect Tanzania's Lake Natron, the only known breeding site for East Africa's lesser flamingos, got a boost last week when a technical advisory panel recommended rejection of the environmental-impact plan submitted by a company that wants to build a soda-ash extraction plant there. “We suggested that they go back to the drawing board,” says Lota Melamari of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania and a member of the panel, which includes representatives of conservation groups and the national parks. He said the panel's findings are expected to be endorsed by Tanzania's National Environment Management Council in its report to the environment minister, who will make the final decision on the studies the developer will be required to do. The company, Lake Natron Resources, had requested permission to construct a large plant at the alkaline lake, which has been the only known breeding ground for East Africa's 1.5 million to 2.5 million lesser flamingos for 45 years ( Science , 22 September 2006, [p. 1724][1]). The advisory panel found that the plan lacked several essential details, and members questioned whether its proposed mitigation strategies would protect the flamingo breeding area. The company contends that the extraction plant would not hurt or drive away the birds. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.313.5794.1724