Selous To Be Cut In Half

[Wheels]

@Wheels I agree with all of your points. My issue is with the president deflecting habitat loss from the dam by having 'hunting' take the hit. Also, in doing a quick search I found this article on downstream impacts of the dam to the flood plain, habitat and people. So, it's not just the impact of the flooding and lake that is created.

https://www.researchgate.net/public...on_the_lakes_of_the_Lower_Rufiji_Tanzania#pf4

I also think about the impact of the dams built in the US and the loss of the habitat at the Sea of Cortez from the lack of flow from the Colorado River. So, I then think, "Are there alternatives to building a dam?" Could wind, solar or nuclear be an option? Much of Africa is going straight wireless. So, why not jump past other countries' approaches (dams) and go straight to alternatives? Such as this in Kenya?

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/22/the-biggest-wind-farm-in-africa-is-officially-up-and-running.html

There are many alternatives to the dam. Tanzania currently has gas or coal fired plants, however they are not in use since TANESCO (electric utility) is around $100m+ in arrears on payments. (last I knew as of a few years ago) Tanzania has one of the worlds largest natural gas fields setting off the SE shore of the country. This seems the optimum electrical source to me.

Dams also destroy large natural areas, ie: Glen Canyon, Boulder, Grand Coulee, etc. in the American west. Some dams have massive impacts on the records of human history and culture such as Three Gorges and Aswan High.

First world countries have already done massive projects to make them first world. Why dictate to third world countries what they can and can not do to try and achieve the same living standards for their people.

Do I think the Stiegler gorge dam is a good idea? I really don't know. In my mind there is a tremendous amount of unanswered questions, but does Tanzania have the right to self determination without kowtowing to ideologues in the west. Do they have the right to make their own successes and while creating corresponding problems along the way.

 

[flatwater bill]

The problem is loss of habitat. The proximate cause is construction and filling of the Steigler's Gorge Dam on the Rufiji River. But the root cause is the exploding population of Tanzania. This project will triple Tanzania's power production. Is it a good idea? Not for me and you......But the only people that actually pay to protect wildlife are the hunters............FWB

 

[Brent in Az]

Now that 50% of the oufitters and hunting blocks are going to disappear, so will the anti poaching units that the safari operators pay for.

Who is going to fill that void? More poachers, unless the Tanzanian government steps up.

 

[Desert Dog]

Dams also destroy large natural areas, ie: Glen Canyon, Boulder, Grand Coulee, etc. in the American west. Some dams have massive impacts on the records of human history and culture such as Three Gorges and Aswan High.

Not to mention the total elimination of wildlife. The loss of Totuava and other marine life in the Sea of Cortez was a good example already posted. Also, don't forget that before California rivers were dammed and diverted, California had massive Salmon runs every month of the year from San Diego to Crescent City, which supported a population of over 10,000 Grizzly Bears (all of which are no more). When you start playing with water, wildlife will always suffer greatly at the expense of Human Progress. In retrospect, we have to ask ourselves "was it worth it"?

 

[thi9elsp]

I'm all for the local country determining their own use of resources be it minerals, land, water, wildlife, etc. and make those judgement calls. I just wish they would learn from the mistakes made in previous generations elsewhere.

 

[flatwater bill]

Thi9.............you are quite right. Third world countries often use our mistakes as examples " you did it, so we can do it too." Instead of learning. The USA is one of the best countries at management of resources........but there have been huge mistakes...and many new ones every year. It's time to learn. When Africa loses its wildlife, it will find Westerners less likely to keep shoveling money to them.....FWB

 

[Brent in Az]

The decisions of Tanzania are really none of my business. When a leader makes that type of decision, everyone needs to ask why? Including those that pour hunter dollars into the country and it's conservation.
I understand the hydroelectric dam, however, the land needed for that is minimal, compared to half of the Selous being turned into a National park. Are they going to cut a network of roads for the tourists? Most of that land will never be seen by tourist eyeballs.

Who benefits the most from that?

Who loses the most?

Will the park tourism generate more revenue then 47 hunting blocks?

Is hunting revenue down? If so, why?

 

[johnnyblues]

Complicated issue, with many factors to consider. Lots of conjecture right now by the hunting community I’m sure. One thing is for sure...progress never seems good for sportsman. Someday when we’re all gone I often wonder if our passion will only be a memory someone will be telling the grandchildren about. And how their great , great-grandfather traveled to far away places or hunted the big mountains. Picture this men....a little face asking grandpa....what’s hunting?

 

[Gsxrmike]

The Chinese invested 5.77 billion dollars in Tanzania in 2017 alone.
I’m afraid wildlife conservation is taking a back seat to whatever China wants.

 

[Wheels]

Was looking at current issue of Sports Afield. They have a good article on the new dam and also the amount of the Selous the new National Park will take up. I didn't realize the new NP would be so large. The north and west 3/5's of the Selous will become national park. The northern part of the park will be accessible from Dar and should get decent tourist business. Especially since it is connected to Mikumi and the new lake. The western part of the new park will not support itself. It is too far away and doesn't have the infrastructure for tourism. Using this area for a national park is a major mistake imo.

 

[Wheels]

 

[Gemsbok45]

Sorry everybody if there is not a massive die off of people wildlife is fucked! Be glad you lived at the time you did!

 

[WilhelmM]

Sorry everybody if there is not a massive die off of people wildlife is fucked! Be glad you lived at the time you did!

Agreed. Although I don't have much problem at all with dividing the Selous in two for hunting and tourism, the world's population is WAY too big. I wish third world countries would realize that having more children doesn't mean you'll have a better chance of making money, it means the exact opposite.
We don't live in medieval times anymore so people should be expected to pull their finger out and make an effort to actually contribute to society. If they don't then they only have themselves to blame.

 

[Paul Raley]

One must remember that to the average african "sport" hunting and conservation means very little in their lives - the bush is purely a source of firewood and protein for them .