Colliding Continents

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Flamingos and Chemical Plants: Is That Why They Are Pink?

According to Afrol News, a proposed chemical plant project on Tanzania’a Lake Natron is meeting with stiff opposition from authorities. The project will jeopardize the existence of the Lesser Flamingo and also hamper ecotourism which makes up a significant portion of Tanzania’s foreign income.

The Aftican Tourism and Travel Association is concerned about the construction of the plant and so are 24 African countries who have signed a petition opposing the project. The flamingos attract a lot of tourists and the ecotourism revenue is a major driver in the development of East African economy.

The Flamingos of Lake Naton are claimed by naturalists to be one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. With an expected one million tourists coming to Tanzania by 2010 maintaining and nurturing this Lake, its inhabitants and ultimately the ecotourism industry would most likely be in everyone’s best interests.