WHY THE SOUTHERN ROUTE?
DISTANCE
Northern Route (Serengeti Highway)
547.8 km (151.1 in protected areas - 53 inside the park - the rest are the buffer zones on either side of the park which are still considered protected). TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IN HOURS 7.9
Southern route (there are two proposed this is South Eyasi)
628.3 km - 0 - in protected areas. TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IN HOURS 7.8
Southern route (South Mbulu) 691.5 total km. - 0- in protected areas. TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IN HOURS 8.6
COST OF CONSTRUCTION
Most areas in the proposed Southern Route are already paved. They just need to be upgraded and then connected to create the passage way for commercial vehicles traveling between Arusha and the Lake Victoria Region. And in fact much work is already currently being done to improve these areas (much upgraded since the FZS report was published) Whereas the route through the Serengeti will have to climb the escarpment, battling shifting black cotton soil, in a highly volcanic area. Cost of construction of the route through the Serengeti would not only be substantially more to construct in the first place, but also VERY expensive to maintain.
HELPING THE MOST PEOPLE
The proposed Southern Routes would go through highly agricultural areas that could use the highway to transport goods. There are 5x as many people living in these areas that would benefit. The German government has offered to build better roads a for the people on either side of the park that would easily take them to the next largest town.
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
Over a million wildebeest and zebra migrate each year from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. If the road divides the park and prevents the animals from getting to their dry season grazing, scientists agree that it will collapse the entire Serengeti ecosystem.
THREATENED SPECIES
Many endangered and threatened species are found in this part of the part including reintroduced Black Rhino and the African wild dog.
CONCLUSION: The proposed Southern Route/s would help 5 x as many people, save the Serengeti, and still connect Arusha and Lake Victoria? No Brainer. So why the continual push for the highway through the Serengeti? No conclusive answers. Suggestions include better connecting (thus enlarging) some mining areas on the west of the Serengeti; the soda ash mining plant proposal at Lake Natron; faster/easier connection to Uganda for possible minerals and oil transportation. NBC news reported two years ago that it had to do with Coltran mining. We simply don't know. But it DOES not have anything to do with what is best for Tanzania or her people - it is about lining pockets. Period.
We will keep watching, keep reporting, keep updating news agencies, and keep working our sources to keep you updated. Please continue to spread the word.
IF WE CAN'T SAVE THE SERENGETI - WHAT CAN WE SAVE?
Full report and graphics by FZS here:http://www.savetheserengeti.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Connecting-Northern-Tanzania-FZS-6-27.pdf
PHOTO: This was taken by one of our volunteers of construction that is currently going on in the areas of the Southern Route. Note the cell tower that has already been erected. Think how many cell towers, petrol stations, cafe's etc. will be needed to service the 800 vehicles per day crossing the Serengeti. . . .
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-- DISTANCE
Northern Route (Serengeti Highway)
547.8 km (151.1 in protected areas - 53 inside the park - the rest are the buffer zones on either side of the park which are still considered protected). TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IN HOURS 7.9
Southern route (there are two proposed this is South Eyasi)
628.3 km - 0 - in protected areas. TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IN HOURS 7.8
Southern route (South Mbulu) 691.5 total km. - 0- in protected areas. TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IN HOURS 8.6
COST OF CONSTRUCTION
Most areas in the proposed Southern Route are already paved. They just need to be upgraded and then connected to create the passage way for commercial vehicles traveling between Arusha and the Lake Victoria Region. And in fact much work is already currently being done to improve these areas (much upgraded since the FZS report was published) Whereas the route through the Serengeti will have to climb the escarpment, battling shifting black cotton soil, in a highly volcanic area. Cost of construction of the route through the Serengeti would not only be substantially more to construct in the first place, but also VERY expensive to maintain.
HELPING THE MOST PEOPLE
The proposed Southern Routes would go through highly agricultural areas that could use the highway to transport goods. There are 5x as many people living in these areas that would benefit. The German government has offered to build better roads a for the people on either side of the park that would easily take them to the next largest town.
WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
Over a million wildebeest and zebra migrate each year from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. If the road divides the park and prevents the animals from getting to their dry season grazing, scientists agree that it will collapse the entire Serengeti ecosystem.
THREATENED SPECIES
Many endangered and threatened species are found in this part of the part including reintroduced Black Rhino and the African wild dog.
CONCLUSION: The proposed Southern Route/s would help 5 x as many people, save the Serengeti, and still connect Arusha and Lake Victoria? No Brainer. So why the continual push for the highway through the Serengeti? No conclusive answers. Suggestions include better connecting (thus enlarging) some mining areas on the west of the Serengeti; the soda ash mining plant proposal at Lake Natron; faster/easier connection to Uganda for possible minerals and oil transportation. NBC news reported two years ago that it had to do with Coltran mining. We simply don't know. But it DOES not have anything to do with what is best for Tanzania or her people - it is about lining pockets. Period.
We will keep watching, keep reporting, keep updating news agencies, and keep working our sources to keep you updated. Please continue to spread the word.
IF WE CAN'T SAVE THE SERENGETI - WHAT CAN WE SAVE?
Full report and graphics by FZS here:http://www.savetheserengeti.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Connecting-Northern-Tanzania-FZS-6-27.pdf
PHOTO: This was taken by one of our volunteers of construction that is currently going on in the areas of the Southern Route. Note the cell tower that has already been erected. Think how many cell towers, petrol stations, cafe's etc. will be needed to service the 800 vehicles per day crossing the Serengeti. . . .
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