It would seem that the detrimental effects of a highway across the Serengeti would be obvious, but this is actually up for debate. In fact, the introduction of a highway might not cause as much damage as one would anticipate.
There is a mass amount of debate about how such a road will impact the lives of the people and wildlife that call the Serengeti home. There are two sides to every story, and it’s important to study the impacts from both views in order to form an educated opinion.
How A Serengeti Road Will Change Things
Those against a road traveling straight through the Serengeti state that it could potentially disrupt the migration route and habits of 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Anyone who knows the ins and outs of a delicate ecosystem can understand how detrimental the disruption of migration can be.
Also, it’s very possible that highway across the Serengeti National Park, typically reachable by safari vehicles only, will increase the already astronomical levels of poaching. The road is also set to run through the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, also vulnerable to poaching.
On the other hand, those who are in favor of the road argue that it’s a wonderful start to national and local economic growth. Growth leads to the reduction of poverty and improvement in the quality of life. This, in an unexpected turn of events, can actually reduce the pressure on surrounding ecosystems.
Which Argument Is Correct?
In the current stages of planning, neither side is correct. The plan must be implemented before any predictions based on fact can take shape. A road traveling through a national treasure like the Serengeti could wreak havoc, or perhaps bring prosperity. Though arguments are solid on both sides, a definite outcome remains to be seen.
It would seem that the detrimental effects of a highway across the Serengeti would be obvious, but this is actually up for debate. In fact, the introduction of a highway might not cause as much damage as one would anticipate.
There is a mass amount of debate about how such a road will impact the lives of the people and wildlife that call the Serengeti home. There are two sides to every story, and it’s important to study the impacts from both views in order to form an educated opinion.
How A Serengeti Road Will Change Things
Those against a road traveling straight through the Serengeti state that it could potentially disrupt the migration route and habits of 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Anyone who knows the ins and outs of a delicate ecosystem can understand how detrimental the disruption of migration can be.
Also, it’s very possible that highway across the Serengeti National Park, typically reachable by safari vehicles only, will increase the already astronomical levels of poaching. The road is also set to run through the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, also vulnerable to poaching.
On the other hand, those who are in favor of the road argue that it’s a wonderful start to national and local economic growth. Growth leads to the reduction of poverty and improvement in the quality of life. This, in an unexpected turn of events, can actually reduce the pressure on surrounding ecosystems.
Which Argument Is Correct?
In the current stages of planning, neither side is correct. The plan must be implemented before any predictions based on fact can take shape. A road traveling through a national treasure like the Serengeti could wreak havoc, or perhaps bring prosperity. Though arguments are solid on both sides, a definite outcome remains to be seen.
