The flamingo in Tanzania defeated the detergent
I previously wrote about Lake Natron in northern Tanzania
where the population of lesser flamingos (hoeniconaias mino) nests. Local companies in partnership with a Japanese company are eyeing the lake with the intention of becoming a source for the production of "soda ash" (Na2CO3 - Sodium carbonate) or "sodium carbonate" which is used in the glass industry and is known to us as a white powder for cleaning purposes.
The intention caused an "outcry" and strong opposition from green bodies and nature lovers all over the world. It is possible that the rescue of the lake comes from an unexpected direction. SUMITOMO Chemicals is a Japanese chemical company. According to the reports, the giant company withdrew from its intention to participate in the production of minerals in Lake Natron. The Minister of Industry of Tanzania said in this regard: "It seems that the Japanese industrial giant is using the patent law to stop the production project and to limit its trading partners."
The project to extract the mineral from Lake Natron promoted by the "National Development Company" met with strong opposition from the local greens and international organizations from day one due to the importance of Lake Natron as the only known site where hundreds of thousands of juvenile flamingos nest.
Added to this are many other populations of shorebirds and waterfowl, many of which arrive at the lake during their migration. In addition to the hundreds of bird species, the lake has tilapia fish (Oreochromis alcalicus) unique to soda lakes in the region. At the base of the food chain for poultry, fish and other animals, there is Spirulina platensis whose development depends on the concentration of "soda" in the water.
But all the natural beauty and environmental importance did not interest the Japanese company, what did interest the owners of the company was the spotlight that was directed in their direction. A beam that cast a negative light on her activity. As someone who cooperates with companies operating in Europe and the USA, and as someone who sells products all over the world - the company could not afford the negative publicity.
And so, despite the rising demand for ore, due to international pressure from green bodies, the Japanese company withdrew from the venture and thus (one can hope and assume) eliminated an industrial venture that would have caused irreparable damage to the environment and nature.
It turns out that there are places and cases where the pressure of the green organizations influences and prevents destruction and that's a good thing. It is possible, worthwhile and proper to visit the special environment that the conservation struggles manage to keep natural and intact.
Such a visit I guide on 15/02/2013 those interested are welcome.
