UNWTO HAS PICKED LAKE NATRON AS ONE OF TOURISTS ATTRACTION

Ngorongoro. The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has picked Lake Natron as one of the world’s eight hotspots that ought to be supported and developed into tourists’ destinations.

The lake, which is one of the breeding ground for flamingos, is a stopover for birds in transit from Europe to Africa during winter.

The Birdlife Coordinator (Policy and Defence), Mr Ken Mwathe, said other African countries whose wetlands had been appointed by the UNWTO were Egypt and Senegal.

Mr Mwathe was speaking during the Migrating Birds Day observed at the weekend at Ngaresero Village in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region.

“Tanzania will benefit a lot by the recognition of Lake Natron internationally,” said Mr Mwathe, explaining that the move would see the lake attracting tourism investors,” he said.

Convention on Wetlands -- Ramsar -- manager for Lake Manyara Mihindi Basso said observing the Migrating Birds Day at Lake Natron would give residents of the area an opportunity for acquiring environment and conservation knowledge and skills.

  “This area is important, for it is a breeding site for 70 per cent of the flamingo species, he said.

Speaking on behalf of Ngorongoro district commissioner Elias Wawa, district lands officer Sitbart Lwelushega, called on different stakeholders to cooperate with the government in conserving the lake.   

The coordinator of the Birds Migration Day, Mr Festo Semanini, said the slogan this year was the Achievements of Migrating Birds and People’s Development.

The Wildlife official dealing with conservation of wetlands, Mr Sadik Laisser, exhorted executives of Longido and Ngorongoro district councils to devise land use plans.