Migrating Towards A Developed Future

Photo Credit: National Geographic

Tourism to the Serengeti is vital to that regions livelihood.
Over the years, poaching has decreased due in large part to the income from tourists visiting the Serengeti looking for that
wild experience.

But man does not get around on his own.

The Tanzania government plans to build a commercial road, north of Serengeti National Park, cutting through the migratory route of
2 million wildebeest and zebra.

Not only does the new highway cut the animals off from their dry-season watering holes, but experts are certain this could become a major conflict zone for humans and animals,
leading to casualties on both sides.

The African Wildlife Foundation is campaigning for the road's path to be altered so that it passes south of the park, avoiding the migration route. But despite the idea of a new path the original road is set to go ahead, with construction kicking off in 2012.

Its hard to say who is right and who is wrong in this situation. Tanzania is a developing country who was hit hard during the recession of '09. Despite the fact that 38% of the countrys land is protected, tourism was down that year.  In a recent speech, Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete said that the best he could do was to leave the part of the road that crossed the migratory route unpaved.

New Serengeti Highway marked in red.

'In accepting the trusteeship of our wildlife we solemnly declare that we will do everything in our power to make sure that our children's grand-children will be able to enjoy this rich and precious inheritance." states Dr. Julius K. Nyerere of SavetheSerengeti.org.

Visit SavetheSerengeti.org to become a part of the campaign to voice your concern over the new highway. NewScientist