(Posted 19th March 2024)
Dear Serengeti Supporter
There have been erroneous reports in the African press that the government of Tanzania has decided to pave the northern route across the Serengeti National Park, the one we fought to stop. We want to correct this.
We’ve learned from credible sources that the government does not intend to pave this road but will keep it gravel for park management and tourism purposes. It’s said that authorities understand paving it would represent a serious threat to the Serengeti.
What’s more, there has been good progress on the recommended bypass road well to the south of the park. It is being financed by the Tanzanian government and will take pressure off the need for a northern route.
This is good news, and kudos to Tanzania. But officials do want to pave (“harden”) other roads in the central Serengeti, which have recently been damaged by heavy flooding. The cost of maintaining and repairing these roads is high. The problem is that any paved roads mean more traffic, higher speeds, wildlife mortality, and the danger of overtourism. The central area of the park is already overcrowded. No decision has been made on these however.
We will keep you informed. Help us continue our work with a donation, here.
Thank you!
David Blanton
Addendum:
| We founded Serengeti Watch in 2010 to stop a disastrous commercial highway across the northern Serengeti. We rallied world opposition and funded a legal challenge in the East African Court of Justice. After an initial ruling against the highway, the Tanzanian government seemingly dropped the plan. Learn more here.
The northern route through Serengeti National Park has been improved to the quality shown in this photo. Reports are that it will stay as it is. |
