From: Yona F Maro

We all know that there are so many economic benefits that accrue from a tarmac road, many to enumerate but will just mention a few here, all year round accessibility of the areas it passes through, establishment of new human settlement along the road to take advantage of the economic opportunities that present themselves on the highway, shorter travelling times, safety of the travelling public due to fewer accidents, cost of vehicles maintenance goes down considerably and many other economic multiplier effects. Such investments also reduce the cost of production and promote output and productivity growth, this road will also increase the Lake Victoria’s region industry’s ability to compete nationally. A deeper understanding of the importance of the road network to the economic viability of the Lakes Region is expected of the conservationists and other noise makers.

I personally believe that the road will not have disastrous effects on the entire ecosystem. It is true northern parts of the Serengeti and the neighbouring, Masai Mara in Kenya are critical for the wildebeest and zebra migration during the dry season, as it is the only permanent year-round water source for these herds. But environmental impact assessment report of the research carried out by government indicates that the impact will be minimum.

Campaigners against the project have only tried to dwell on the negative effects which are very minimal, as they always say there are two sides of the coin and therefore the benefits too have to be mentioned. The whole argument about Serengeti highway is shrouded in hypocrisy and the campaigners who are against the project are collecting signatures around the world to oppose the project but they hardly tell the whole story about the highway. Majority of the campaigners against Serengeti highway project have joined the band wagon without an iota of an Idea whether the project will have negative environmental impact on the Serengeti ecosystem or not. The opposition mainly comes from pressure groups and green activists who are concerned about the possible negative environmental impact that the road might cause, but the latest feasibility studies have taken into consideration such matters, even Tanzania National Parks authority that was initially opposed to the project have so far conceded, the impact will be minimal.

For those who are interested in knowing some facts about the road,it is only 40 kms that will pass through the park once the project is complete but currently vehicles going to/from the lake region are passing through Ngorongoro Conservation area and Serengeti National Park. This is a longer route inside conservation areas, at least 200 kms to be precise, so which one is more detrimental to the parks just the 40 kms or 200 kms ? On a positive note to those who are against the project, it means once the tarmac road is complete, large goods trucks and big passengers buses will no longer pass through the middle of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. An alternative route has been recommended, but alternative route is longer and the terrain not good for road construction which means it will be more expensive to implement the project using this route. With scarce resources, the government will be definitely be tempted to go with the less expensive option as anyone else would.

I would like to pose this question to the campaigners who are against this highway. Are they willing to entice the government of Tanzania to opt for the alternative route by contributing a percentage of funds required to construct the highway. If the answer to the above is No, then they should just SHUT UP and let the government take development to its people. To conserve our heritage for the benefit of future generations is our collective responsibility but not at the expense of communities living in far flung areas of the country, they too have a right to enjoy good infrastructure like the rest of the country. Let it be known that some of the opposing forces of this project have personal interests. We really appreciate the concern of the genuine wildlife conservationists and environmental activists but we expect them to be partners in planning; not some fanatical impediments to a balanced development of Tanzania infrastructure. Even with this road SERENGETI SHALL NEVER DIE !

Alpha Mantai is a travel writer and a leading tours & travel consultan based in Arusha.

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