The National Development Corporation (NDC) said that the proposed soda ash extracting factory on the shores of Lake Natron can co-exist with the flamingos. The NDC Head of Infrastructure and Energy, Mr P Malesa, said in Dar es Salaam that the corporation was, at the moment, looking for sustainable mining technology for the area. "We are waiting for ongoing studies in the area to come to an end before the project takes off, but we believe that the flamingo population will not be extinct," he said. He added that flamingoes were important for the country's economy because they attract tourists in the area, but added that the project was equally worthwhile. "Several studies were earlier carried out and right now flamingo breeding experts are at the site studying the behaviour of the species to establish risks, if any, before the project takes off," he said. The NDC Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr A Ngapemba, said environmentalists still have their concerns over the project, but NDC was working closely with the National Environmental Management Council and experts from Dar es Salaam in addressing the matter. "The sensitivity of the area comes from the fact that 70% of the new world flamingoes breed at Lake Natron, but we are optimistic that the project can still take off without affecting the birds," he said.
