By ADAM IHUCHA -- Tanzania plans, amid protests from within, to revive a defunct wildlife corridor linking the flagship Serengeti National park with Lake Victoria, as it seeks alternative source of water for animals.

An imminent plan, which is seen as urgent as climate change looms large, will see Ghuba Speke game controlled area with 129 sq km in Bunda district, which consists of the corridor, integrated into Serengeti, in an effort to enable wildlife access Lake Victoria water.

The state says that the World’s second largest water body, is the only reliable alternative drinking water for millions of thirsty wildlife, in the wake of climate change that has affected the greater Mara River and other sources of waters within the vital Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem.

In a document seen by this reporter the state says that the corridor is critical, as it will not only provide wild animals freedom to enjoy a permanent source of water, but also balance the Serengeti - Maasai Mara ecosystem.

"Wildlife and the environment will be well conserved due to separation of human and conservation activities. Wild animals will also acquire permanent source of water, thus enhance the Serengeti - Maasai Mara ecosystem", the document reads in part.

The process, however, will see relocation of nearly 8,000 occupants in three villages of Serengeti, Nyatwari and Tamau located within the Ghuba Speke game controlled area to pave way for the crucial wildlife restoration.

The state argues that the initiative will stimulate economy as expansion of Serengeti is expected to open up more investment prospects in areas of tourism, hence help to create a number of opportunities in Bunda District and the region as a whole.

In addition, the state says the wildlife corridor renewal will also end human-wildlife conflicts, as residents within the corridor will be free from constant attacks by wild animals that destroy their crops en-route to Lake Victoria in search of drinking water. 

The plan is also expected to reduce rampant poaching in western Serengeti where Director General of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Allan Kijazi, says between 200 and 300 wildebeests are slaughtered annually.

“This is the minimum figure, but the number can even be higher. We are worried that if this trend goes unabated the wildlife survival would be in great risk,” Mr Kijazi noted.

United Nations Conservation Programme (UNEP) and World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), report indicates the figure of various animals killed annually in western Serengeti is high as 200,000.

The document says the rise in demand for meat has also been partly driven by the growing local population. Official statistics show the Serengeti Park’s sprawling western boundary is densely settled by farmers and herders with number being estimated at 3,329,199 in 2011.

As a consequence, agriculture has encroached on the park’s boundaries and former subsistence poaching has now become large- scale and commercial.

Protest

However, Bunda Legislator and a cabinet Minister, Mr Stephen Wasira doesn’t buy this idea, maintaining that the people were legitimate inhabitants in the area and should not be evicted.

Mr. Wassira who is a Minister of State in the President's Office (Social Relations and Coordination), proposed that TANAPA in collaboration with the ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources to establish a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Ghuba Speke. 

"What is necessary is free movement of wildlife, and formation of the WMA will facilitate the animals to access water in Lake Victoria and make people benefit too,” says Mr Wasira noted.

While the document does not indicate the alternative land for the would be evictees, the Bunda District council chairman, Mr Joseph Malimbe also says his district has no place to settle more than 8,000 people who would be affected by the project.

There are some arguments that the country should construct huge dams in the Serengeti National park and then use technology to drain waters from Lake Victoria to feed the boreholes instead of evicting the villagers.

The document, however, points out that the decision constitutes a directive from the President, Jakaya Kikwete.

Laws of Tanzania allow the president, with consultation from the parliament, to declare any area of the country into a national park. 

Upon such declaration, all rights come to an end, because no human habitation is allowed in a national park.

Initially, the law permitted human habitation in game controlled areas, a conservation status to which the Ghuba Speke belong. 

However, following enactment of a new wildlife conservation Act in 2009, settlements have been outlawed in all wildlife conservation areas namely national parks, game controlled areas and game reserves. 

This may therefore mean that Tanzania could use the wildlife conservation Act of 2009, in particular its provisions that prohibit settlements in the game controlled areas to relocate the population.

Ecology

Chief Ecologist with Serengeti National Park, Emilian Kihwele says that the revival of the wildlife corridor linking the vital Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem with Lake Victoria is imperative.

Mr. Kihwele says that the basin, which straddles the Kenya-Tanzania border, is adversely affected by climate change and human activities not compatible with conservation interests, putting the world’s greatest annual wildlife migration across east Africa's plains – under threat.