WATER STUDY BEGINS ON SERENGETI ECOSYSTEM

The first study that seeks to help ensure there is enough water for wildlife and tourists in Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) has begun.

“We need to ensure there is enough water for wildlife and tourists and guarantee sustainability  of  the Serengeti for another 60 years and beyond,” the Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation and Development Project Coordinator   Mr Nuhu Daniel said in Serengeti  last week.

The initial investigation designed to establish all water users and water sources within the Serengeti ecosystem has already been conducted, he said.

“The study will establish where to find water, users and the gaps  and how the latter can be addressed, “ Mr  Daniel told ‘Mara Online News’ shortly after making a presentation to the Germany Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

The six month study which began last month (September) is expected to end in January next year.

An integrated water resources management plan that seeks to ensure that the Serengeti ecosystem does not face shortage of water is already in place, according to Mr Daniel who is also  senior conservation officer at SENAPA.

 The plan is funded by German government through KfW Development Bank, according to  Mr  Daniel.

The German MPs visited several conservation projects funded by KfW Development Bank and Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

“Protecting this biodiversity (Serengeti) is a job being done for the whole world not only for Tanzania,  we are very grateful for this, “ the chairperson of the  German Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Ms Sylvia Kotting-Uhl said.

She said the German government will continue supporting conservation projects that help to address challenges facing the Serengeti ecosystem and the surrounding local communities.

In June this year, the Serengeti was voted Africa’s best park on the African continent for the year 2019 by World Travel Awards (WTA) .  

Tanzania’s second largest national park defeated other famous parks in African countries during WTA award gala held in Mauritius.