Conservation efforts at Lake Natron

Nature Tanzania continues to take part in the glob­al efforts to conserve birds and their habitats in Tanzania. Established in 2016, our membership base now stands at 185 members, and continue growing to support biodiversity conservation in the country. Over the past 4 years, we attained key milestones, including successfully supporting the delivery of the “Developing a Community Based Ecotourism Model at Lake Na­tron, Tanzania” a BirdLife project funded by the Dar­win Initiative, which is highlighted below. The project was implemented between July 2017 and June 2020.

PROJECT GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Among other things, the project aimed at addressing poorly coordinated tourism development, limited liveli­hood sources and capacity for communities for managing ecotourism business as well as limited awareness on the value of the Lake ecosystem which is the most important breeding site for Lesser Flamingos. The Lake supports the breeding of 1.5 – 2.5 million East African Lesser Flamingos, which constitute 75% of the global species’ population.

Interventions

The project carried out training of local commu­nities in ecotourism business management; sup­ported the development of a A Tourism Devel­opment Plan; established a £6,500 Community Revolving Fund to facilitate small loans to small busi­nesses; supported ecosystem restoration through tree planting at key catchments and raised awareness and disseminated project results through various platforms.

PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS

  • The project improved the monthly income of 1,038 people: 757 women from of $52 to $72; 204 youth from $46 to $75 and 75 men from $31 to $68
  • 7,500 trees planted, a Catchment Action Plan for the Ngaresero and Pinyinyi developed, the integrity of Lake as a breeding site for flamingos maintained and 10,000 ha of wetlands protected.
  • A Tourism Development Plan was developed and endorsed by the government with participation of all stakeholders. The TDP is domiciled at the office of the Regional Administrative Secretary in Arusha Region.
  • Two booths have been constructed at Ngare Sero and Oldonyo Lengai villages to help Maasai women to sell their beadwork in a sheltered environment.
  • A total of 335 individuals (222 women, 153 young people and 23 tour guides) benefited from the CRF as at March 2020 and the revolving fund grew by 17% to £7,608 by end of project.
  • A total of 252 people (152 women, 71 youths and 29 men) were trained in ecotourism management, busi­ness management; 106 tour guides were trained in tour guiding and 101 leaders (24 women, 30 young people and 47 men) were trained in natural resource gover­nance and land rights.

Quote

Mama Esuphat Ngoyasi, the Chairperson of Ngare Sero Women, says: “We feel empowered and thank BirdLife International, Nature Tanzania and the Government for investing in women. We now have space to comfortably sell our beadwork to tourists. The women of Lake Na­tron are starting to enjoy the fruits of conservation”.

Collaboration and support.

The project worked with the following partners

  1. The project was funded by the Darwin Initiative, UK and was implemented in close collaboration with the Govern­ment of Tanzania
  2. Project partners on the ground were:
  3. Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA)
  4. Engaresero Eramatare Community Development Initia­tive (EECDI),
  5. Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO),
  6. Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB),
  7. Arusha Regional Government Office,
  8. District Councils of Monduli, Ngorongoro and Longido,
  9. Maasai Pastoralist Development Organization (MPDO-LARETO).

You can read the Swahili awareness raising poster here. This was developed during the project, in Swahili language