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Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL) has been quoted by The Hindustan Times newspaper of Mumbai India saying that the Lake Natron soda ash project as originally envisaged has been withdrawn. 

Lake Natron in East Africa’s Great Rift Valley, a vital breeding ground for lesser flamingos, was under threat from an industrial plant proposed by one of the world’s largest chemical conglomerates, Tata Chemicals.  Lake Natron is listed by the international Ramsar Wetland Convention and designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. 

The Lake Natron Consultative Group (LNCG), which includes Born Free Kenya, had renewed efforts to stop construction of a soda ash plant at Lake Natron after the investor’s insistance on going ahead with the project despite the negative environmental impact that the project is likely to pose.

Surprisingly, the company says it will not take another step until the Integrated Management Plan for the Ramsar site is completed and approved.  The TCL Managing Director, Mr Homi Khusrokhan said “The Company is not in a position to take a view with regard to resumption until it has a chance to examine the final approved Ramsar Management Plan currently under preparation for Lake Natron.” The Hindustan Times story titled Green Groups halt Tata Plant in Tanzania also quoted Mr Khusrokhan saying, “…the original Environment and Social Impact Assessment….. Should be treated as withdrawn”.

This is great news for the flamingoes who thrive at Lake Natron.  However, Birdlife who headed up the opposition groups confirm that they will continue to call for a total withdrawal of the soda ash project.

For more information on the original proposal, please click here

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