Tanzania has committed to a $450 million joint venture with India’s Tata Chemicals Ltd. to mine soda ash on Lake Natron despite protests from an international conservation coalition, including African Conservation Centre. The processing plant, with a capacity of 500,000 metric tonnes per annum, could disrupt the most important breeding location for lesser flamingos in Africa.

In July, the South Rift Association of Land owners, a land trust and conservation organization comprising Maasai land owners in Kenya's southern Rift Valley, announced plans to create and promote a new South Rift Tourist Circuit (click on image at left to enlarge the map).

Linking existing tracks and some new tracks (and a future bridge across a river at the base of the Rift escarpment), the new route will connect tourism facilities in Maasai Mara National Reserve to Amboseli National Park. Stretching across the heart of Maasailand - where some 70% of the region's famous wildlife occur - the route will bring much-needed tourism dollars to impoverished Maasai communities who see little or no benefit from the famous wildlife. John Kamanga, director of the association, said that ecotourism developments will be limited and exclusive, to protect both the wildlife and communities of the South Rift.

African Conservation Fund's new Adventure Conservation Safaris (see above) will be among the first to explore along parts of the new South Rift Circuit. We are also seeking corporate partners to assist the development of the circuit. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to join this unprecedented effort (520.591.1410).

Last June, we reported on the efforts of one of our Partners in Conservation to establish Environment and Wildlife Clubs at several Maasai schools in the Chyulu Hills. Ecologist Rosemary Groom sends a new report:

"I have attached a couple of pictures of some of the other projects I have been busy with. We have expanded the wildlife scout program into a second primary school (Isinet Primary School), and around the same time we started a rubbish disposal system in two main towns. Obviously we got the scouts involved!"

Great job, Rosemary. Your efforts above and beyond your research are an inspiration and we hope all our Partners in Conservation are working as hard as you. We would like to commend Columbus Zoo as well, for funding the youth conservation club expansion effort.

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