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Tanzania in drive to save threatened Lake Manyara National Park

Source: Xinhua   2018-05-25 00:32:48

ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Thursday announced new strategies aimed at saving Lake Manyara National Park, which is threatened deposition caused by farming activities.

Telesia Mahonga, Karatu District Commissioner, said the Lake Manyara ecosystem is under serious threat, and if left unattended the northern Tanzanian park will vanish.

"We have informed paddy growers on the upper parts of rivers to quit, and if they defy the order, we'll evict them by force," the official said, describing the park as key for the flamingos that inhabit the lake.

The park is a home to more than 400 species of birds.

"The Lake Manyara National Park is a good spot for bird watching. Visitors to the park can expect to see upwards of 100 different species of bird on any day," she said, adding that the sanctuary contribute heavily to the country's tourism sector.

But farmers who do farming on the upper parts of rivers that supply water to the lake have been contributing deposition in the lake, which in turn affect breeding sites of birds and wild animals, she said.

"Before evicting them, we're educating farmers on better farming practices, which are friendly to the environment as well as informing them on the negative impact of farming nearby rivers. And those who would defy the order will be taken to court," said Mahonga.

Chief park warden Noelia Mhonga also suggested swift measures to be taken by the government and other players to save the 58-year-old lake.

Ibrahim Ninga, park official in charge of the neighborhood, said the sanctuary is surrounded by 46 villages, whose activities such as farming and livestock rearing all pose a negative impact on the lake.

Editor: yan
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Tanzania in drive to save threatened Lake Manyara National Park

Source: Xinhua 2018-05-25 00:32:48

ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Thursday announced new strategies aimed at saving Lake Manyara National Park, which is threatened deposition caused by farming activities.

Telesia Mahonga, Karatu District Commissioner, said the Lake Manyara ecosystem is under serious threat, and if left unattended the northern Tanzanian park will vanish.

"We have informed paddy growers on the upper parts of rivers to quit, and if they defy the order, we'll evict them by force," the official said, describing the park as key for the flamingos that inhabit the lake.

The park is a home to more than 400 species of birds.

"The Lake Manyara National Park is a good spot for bird watching. Visitors to the park can expect to see upwards of 100 different species of bird on any day," she said, adding that the sanctuary contribute heavily to the country's tourism sector.

But farmers who do farming on the upper parts of rivers that supply water to the lake have been contributing deposition in the lake, which in turn affect breeding sites of birds and wild animals, she said.

"Before evicting them, we're educating farmers on better farming practices, which are friendly to the environment as well as informing them on the negative impact of farming nearby rivers. And those who would defy the order will be taken to court," said Mahonga.

Chief park warden Noelia Mhonga also suggested swift measures to be taken by the government and other players to save the 58-year-old lake.

Ibrahim Ninga, park official in charge of the neighborhood, said the sanctuary is surrounded by 46 villages, whose activities such as farming and livestock rearing all pose a negative impact on the lake.

[Editor: huaxia]
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