quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
Given the economic destruction the US and the EU have brought on the world in the last decade both have lost the moral imperative to tell Tanzania a pooor democratic nation they can't or shouldn't build a road.

Right or wrong, none of the USA's business.

Canada, I have some news for you: CIDA has environmental guidelines for any project they fund in Africa. If it doesn't meet their guidelines, they don't fund it. This is what we are talking about. You decide what you will do with your money, the US will decide what it will do with its money.

Fortunately, the right to moral imperatives is not decided in Alberta.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:

Personally, I don't think this road will ever be built, primarily because the West won't pay for it. The Germans, major contributors to funding and management of the Serengeti National Park, will never let the EU commit funds to it. I don't think the World Bank would touch this hyper-sensitive environmental issue with a ten foot pole. The only real danger is the Chinese, who will fund anything if it gains them some favor with the government in exchange for mineral rights or other concessions. And this is the real problem occuring all over Africa. International aid has always had a mitigating effect on the excesses and irrational decisions of African governments, and the Chinese have given every African government a way to bypass the scrutiny of Western democracies, Western environmental lobbies, Western private businesses and everyone else by funding what the others will not.

Most of us are already aware of Chinese indifference, some would say complicity, on the issues concerning ivory exports and black market poached animal products such as rhino horn. But these are a drop in the bucket when compared to access to mineral rights and other primary raw materials.

And for the most part the West has just stood by and watched, not wanting to compromise their own desire to access the Chinese markets. In that sense the West's stand on the issue is the height of hypocrisy. We are in fact accomplices to the Chinese rape of the African continent, pretending to be innocent bystanders, or by using the false argument (which the Chinese must just adore) that it is an "internal" affair of the country concerned.

How true.

From African Indaba

Tanzania: Projects With Negative Environmental Consequences

Rolf D Baldus

Tanzania remains in the global headlines with a number of major projects which have the potential to cause significant negative environmental consequences. The plans as they are known today threaten, if realized, National Parks and Game Reserves which fall under the specially protected UNESCO World Heritage Site Program.

The construction of a major highway through the Serengeti to link Central African regions with the East African coast is one of the most worrying projects. To complete this road project, Tanzania also proposed a new deep water port to be dredged at Tanga, a small and sleepy Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean. The planned facility is located right within a marine protected area, which has been specially designed to give shelter to Coelacanths, a group of lobed-finned fish that are related to lungfish and other extinct Devonian fish, thought to have first evolved approximately 400 million years ago. Only two living coelacanth species are found along theses coastlines.

Based on assessments of the Frankfurt Zoological Society and from a wide array of world-renowned scientists, the Trans-Serengeti highway would seriously compromise the annual migrations of over one million savanna ungulates; the impact on ungulate species would also have negative consequences for all predators, for which the ungulates are the main prey. Over half a century after Bernhard Grzimek’s book “Serengeti Shall Not Die” this world-famous area would finally meet an appalling destiny. The entire eco system will change completely and irrevocably. The environmental impact assessment submitted by the Tanzanian government was rejected by the European Commission on behalf of the donors as superficial and unprofessional.. The US Department of State expressed also major concerns, although a top diplomat would not reveal if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned this topic at her meeting with the President of Tanzania.

Apparently, there are no technical or infrastructural problems, if a more southerly route, bypassing the Serengeti National Park. would be chosen. A greater number of people would benefit from a southerly transit artery; it is, however, a socio-economic give and take, since some of those along the presently planned route would be rather disappointed. It is probably also true that Tanzanians who live in the greater Serengeti area don’t even know that an alternative route is being proposed to connect the Central African regions to the East African coast. For reasons that the world fails to understand, and without any explanation or reasonable substantiations, the recently re-elected President of the Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete has apparently already decided to move ahead with the highway crossing the Serengeti.

Dirk Niebel, Minister for Development of the Federal Republic of Germany, who offered on occasion of a visit of a senior civil servant of the ministry to Tanzania that Germany and other donor nations would finance all impact and viability studies of a more southerly route around the Serengeti could not convince President Kikwete. Apparently there were even discussions about a financing offer for the construction of the alternative route. A public announcement by Minister Niebel made later at a press conference did not draw any Tanzanian reaction either. In any case, Tanzania, which is deep in debt and in fact hanging on the various drips of development assistance of donor nations, cannot finance the highway from own means anyhow. Hence, there is ample speculation whether China is pulling any strings behind the scenes. In Africa, there are presently few, if any, minerals and raw materials prospecting ventures, or any major infrastructure projects, where China is not involved in one or the other way. Apparently – also taking other examples into account – environmental concerns are very low on the priority list of this emerging super power from the Far East. Anyway – most of Tanzania’s threatened hardwoods and also a major part of illegally exported elephant ivory are incessantly gobbled up by China.

Environmentalists and conservation NGOs have organized global protests. These actions obviously and unfortunately appear to have had an unintended side effect: President Kikwete seems to be fed up by these activities and apparently views them as uncalled interventions into each and every infrastructure project. On March 28th, President Kikwete reportedly stormed into the Tourism and Environment Ministry’s offices and apparently enraged, announced that Tanzania would not be dictated from abroad with respect to the country’s environmental policies. This was ostensibly also the cause for the immediate withdrawal of Tanzania’s application for recognition of the "Eastern Arc" as a World Heritage Site. The “Eastern Arc” is a particularly species-rich mountain range in south-eastern Tanzania. However, UNESCO is by no means trying to dictate anything to Tanzania. To the contrary, for the past 15 years the Government of Tanzania has been trying to achieve inclusion into the UNESCO list and even commissioned a number of research studies to this end.

Is President Kikwete forgetting what the founder of the nation, Julius Nyerere, said to the world and to the Tanzanian citizens in the 1961 Arusha Declaration on Wildlife Protection? Here is a quote from Nyerere’s speech ““The survival of our wildlife is a matter of grave concern to all of us in Africa. These wild creatures amid the wild places they inhabit are not only important as a source of wonder and inspiration but are an integral part of our natural resources and of our future livelihood and well-being.”

The President’s executive order to suspend all further studies on environmental impacts of soda ash production at Lake Natron, near the Ngorongoro Crater and his expressed wish to rapidly build the necessary soda ash production plant fits the same pattern. Lake Natron, protected by an international agreement, is the most important refuge for flamingos and pelicans in East Africa. The President is, however, firm in saying that one could produce 500,000 tons of soda ash per year there without harming these magnificent bird populations. He describes environmentalists as unpatriotic agents of foreign powers.

Storms are brewing also for the Selous Game Reserve, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest hunting reserve. Not only did rampant poaching again raise its ugly head due to inadequate funding and a 75% budget cut, but some projects in this 50,000 km2 wilderness might soon change the face of the Selous forever. In the southern part of the reserve a new uranium mine is about to start mining on an area of 70 km2 – despite of the global endeavors to change from nuclear power to renewable energy sources, and despite of the general exclusion of mining from all areas designated as World Heritage Sites. In the northern Selous, the dam at the "Stiegler’s Gorge" rapids of the Rufiji River, contemplated and rejected already in 1982, is on the cards again. Reportedly, Brazil is interested in cooperating with Tanzania here. This dam would destroy the eco systems of the entire northern Selous. A smaller dam, which is presently being built about 100 kilometers to the northwest at Ruvu is already causing significant environmental damage. The future reservoir will destroy the summer pastures of immense buffalo and antelope herds with a foreseeable drastic reduction herd size..

Poaching is again a major threat in Tanzania. Even one of the rhinoceroses from South Africa, flown in last year by the Frankfurt Zoological Society, amidst some great media hype, has been ruthlessly killed by poachers. The carcass of rhino “George” was found by game rangers – the horns had been rudely sawn off and were missing. President Kikwete personally had welcomed rhino George on May 21st, 2010. One of the poaching suspects died in police custody.

East Africa: U.S. Opposed to Serengeti Road Project

Nairobi — The Obama administration is urging the Tanzanian government to reconsider plans to build a road through the Serengeti wildlife reserve that environmentalists say will threaten the wildebeest migration into Kenya.

Johnnie Carson, the top US diplomat for Africa, told reporters last week that he raised concerns about the road in meetings with Tanzanian officials in April.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may raise the issue again when she holds scheduled talks later this month in Tanzania with President Jakaya Kikwete, Mr Carson added.

He said in remarks in Washington that the Obama administration is "fully aware of the concerns that have been raised in this country and in other countries about the environmental impact that the trans-Serengeti road will have on the very large, spectacular and almost unique migration of animals from the Serengeti up to the game parks in Kenya."

Mr Carson suggested, however, that Tanzanian officials were sensitive to the objections raised and were trying to address them "in the most appropriate fashion."

"They know the value of the wildlife, the importance of the Serengeti," the assistant secretary of state for African affairs added. "They have no desire to destroy that, but they also are looking for ways to stimulate economic development in other parts of the country."

In response to a reporter's question as to whether Mrs Clinton will press President Kikwete on the proposed road, Mr Carson did not answer directly and instead heaped praise on the Tanzania government.

He called the country "a model development partner."

"Tanzania is a strong multi-party democratic state. It is one of our strongest partners -- yes, sir -- it is one of our strongest partners in the development field, and we are pleased to be going there," said Mr Carson.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
Given the economic destruction the US and the EU have brought on the world in the last decade both have lost the moral imperative to tell Tanzania a pooor democratic nation they can't or shouldn't build a road.

Right or wrong, none of the USA's business.

Canada, I have some news for you: CIDA has environmental guidelines for any project they fund in Africa. If it doesn't meet their guidelines, they don't fund it. This is what we are talking about. You decide what you will do with your money, the US will decide what it will do with its money.

Fortunately, the right to moral imperatives is not decided in Alberta.

Well since Tanzania is building the road and not the US, it's none of the US govt's business.

Imagine if a new deep sea port was built in Tanzania and the coutry was able to become a major exporting nation of central african products and raw materials. That is no good, the country might become more self sufficient, what would they do if that happenned.

Recent news item, Tanzania govt advises US that New Orleans should be moved to a location better suited to flood control.

How would the US react to that?

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
Given the economic destruction the US and the EU have brought on the world in the last decade both have lost the moral imperative to tell Tanzania a pooor democratic nation they can't or shouldn't build a road.

Right or wrong, none of the USA's business.

Canada, I have some news for you: CIDA has environmental guidelines for any project they fund in Africa. If it doesn't meet their guidelines, they don't fund it. This is what we are talking about. You decide what you will do with your money, the US will decide what it will do with its money.

Fortunately, the right to moral imperatives is not decided in Alberta.

Well since Tanzania is building the road and not the US, it's none of the US govt's business.

Imagine if a new deep sea port was built in Tanzania and the coutry was able to become a major exporting nation of central african products and raw materials. That is no good, the country might become more self sufficient, what would they do if that happenned.

Recent news item, Tanzania govt advises US that New Orleans should be moved to a location better suited to flood control.

How would the US react to that?

Ahhh

The invinceable arrogance of ignorance.

RE New Orleans--we wouldnt even notice they said anything.

SSR

quote:

Originally posted by Cross L:

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
Given the economic destruction the US and the EU have brought on the world in the last decade both have lost the moral imperative to tell Tanzania a pooor democratic nation they can't or shouldn't build a road.

Right or wrong, none of the USA's business.

Canada, I have some news for you: CIDA has environmental guidelines for any project they fund in Africa. If it doesn't meet their guidelines, they don't fund it. This is what we are talking about. You decide what you will do with your money, the US will decide what it will do with its money.

Fortunately, the right to moral imperatives is not decided in Alberta.

Well since Tanzania is building the road and not the US, it's none of the US govt's business.

Imagine if a new deep sea port was built in Tanzania and the coutry was able to become a major exporting nation of central african products and raw materials. That is no good, the country might become more self sufficient, what would they do if that happenned.

Recent news item, Tanzania govt advises US that New Orleans should be moved to a location better suited to flood control.

How would the US react to that?

Ahhh

The invinceable arrogance of ignorance.

RE New Orleans--we wouldnt even notice they said anything.

SSR

Your comment kind of confirms my point.

SSR

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:

quote:

Originally posted by martinbns:
Given the economic destruction the US and the EU have brought on the world in the last decade both have lost the moral imperative to tell Tanzania a pooor democratic nation they can't or shouldn't build a road.

Right or wrong, none of the USA's business.

Canada, I have some news for you: CIDA has environmental guidelines for any project they fund in Africa. If it doesn't meet their guidelines, they don't fund it. This is what we are talking about. You decide what you will do with your money, the US will decide what it will do with its money.

Fortunately, the right to moral imperatives is not decided in Alberta.

Well since Tanzania is building the road and not the US, it's none of the US govt's business.

Imagine if a new deep sea port was built in Tanzania and the coutry was able to become a major exporting nation of central african products and raw materials. That is no good, the country might become more self sufficient, what would they do if that happenned.

Recent news item, Tanzania govt advises US that New Orleans should be moved to a location better suited to flood control.

How would the US react to that?

Tanzania is not building the road with its own money. So, unless someone else gives them the money it won't be built. By the way, this is what I said in one of the first posts. I will repeat, since the US, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the European Union won't be giving them this money, the only outside chance is Chinese money.

To say that Tanzania is building the road would not be accurate. If the road gets built the only Tanzanian contribution to the project will be the ink for the signature on the financing agreement and their enormous contribution to conservation of wildlife in their own country.

China is going to own Africa- that is where things are headed my friends.

quote:

The invincible arrogance of ignorance.

So true.


And from a Canadian, no less, a citizen of one of the major donor nations.

Dave's right. China is the fox in the henhouse, and we let the bastards in. American greed sometimes amazes me.

Woooow!....Is this dirt road to link Eastern Tz to the coast or Central African countries to the coast?? BIG difference.....& how long will it remain a dirt road?

A lot of people on this site have called me a liberal & I might be one (though I do not ascribe to such labels)....but this is a real tragedy for all human kind as well as African wildlife.

Yes, I have been a strong and vocal believer that the US should mind its own business.....but this is one of the few occasions where they should use their influence to stop this project as they really do not have any commercial interest in the matter or any hidden agenda.

quote:

Tanzania is not building the road with its own money. So, unless someone else gives them the money it won't be built.

Tanzania will get the money from somewhere...
Just take this as an example

quote:

In 2001, BAE sold a £28 million military Watchman air traffic control system to Tanzania, one of the world's poorest countries. The sale was funded through a loan from Barclays Bank. The deal was backed by then UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, but opposed by the Secretary of State for International Development, Clare Short, who, though she had no evidence, said she did not think the contract "could have been made cleanly". In 2002 the International Civil Aviation Organisation said the system used dated technology and was not adequate for civil aviation. Tanzania does not have a military air force. Norman Lamb MP, who compiled a dossier on the deal, said a modern system could have been provided for 10 per cent of the cost.

Maybe with Chinese money? or a development loan predicated upon using 'western' engineering companies...

quote:

Yes, I have been a strong and vocal believer that the US should mind its own business..

Naki, you are soooo provincial. The world's business is the US's business, and vice versa. Do you live in a cave? Apparently not, because you have an Internet connection. Go play in the PF. Of course, you are rarely welcomed there, either.

24 June 2011 Last updated at 09:07 ET

Serengeti road scrapped over wildlife concerns
By Richard Black

Environment correspondent, BBC News




Controversial plans to build a tarmac road across the Serengeti National Park have been scrapped after warnings that it could devastate wildlife.

The Tanzanian government planned a two-lane highway across the park to connect Lake Victoria with coastal ports.

But studies showed it could seriously affect animals such as wildebeest and zebra, whose migration is regarded as among the wonders of the natural world.

The government confirmed the road across the park will remain gravel.


In a letter sent to the World Heritage Centre in Paris, the Department of Natural Resources and Tourism says the 50km (30-mile) section of road across the park will "continue to be managed mainly for tourism and administrative purposes, as it is now".

The government is considering an alternative route for a major trade highway that would run to the south of the park.

This would avoid areas of high conservation value, and - although a longer route - would bring the opportunities afforded by a modern transport link to more people.

Last year, a group of scientists warned that the proposed road across the park could bring the number of wildebeest in the park, estimated at about 1.3 million, down to 300,000.

Collisions between animals and traffic would be unavoidable, they said.

And with a corridor on either side of the road taken out of the hands of the park authorities and given to the highways agency, fencing would almost certainly result, blocking movement of the herds.

If wildlife were damaged, they warned, that could also affect the local economy, in which tourism plays a major role.

'Wonder of nature'

The researchers described the Serengeti as "a rare and iconic example of an ecosystem driven by a large mammal migration".

That annual north-to-south trek involves about 1.5 million animals, including wildebeest and zebra.


As the animals travel, they dump vast quantities of urine and dung across the land, fertilising plant growth, while the trampling of hooves also prevents bush from over-growing the grassland.

An impact assessment compiled for the government confirmed the expected impact on migration, adding that the decline of wildebeest and zebra would have a knock-on effect on predators such as lions and cheetahs.

These are among the animals that tourists come to see.

Scientists also warned that the road could bring invasive plant species or unfamiliar diseases into the park, a World Heritage Site.

Last year, the World Heritage Committee expressed its "utmost concern" about the "potentially irreversible damage" that the highway could bring.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the government's decision, with the organisation Serengeti Watch saying: "A battle has been won".

However, they warned that the region faces a number of other threats, including roads around the park and poaching.

Excellent!!