Africa has resources eagerly sought by China and both Tanzania and Kenya are part of its massive One Belt, One Road plan. Plans for huge transport and mining projects have multiplied, and this will increase due to population growth, politics and pressure for development. Tanzania is eager to become industrialized.
Here are two examples of development projects that could devastate the Serengeti ecosystem and destroy the migration as we know it.
Damming the Mara River
Dams in catchment areas and tributaries in Kenya that would dry up the Mara River. These would be ruinous to the entire Serengeti ecosystem. Population increase and new agriculture will increase political pressure to divert water from the Mara River Basin.
Shown in the map: the Mara River basin, originating in Kenya and extending to Tanzania and Lake Victoria.
Highway across the Serengeti
A commercial highway that would doom migration. Serengeti Watch was founded to oppose a commercial highway planned to cross the norther section of the Serengeti National Park. Areas in light green show where wildebeest and proposed roads, shown in red, overlap throughout the year. Wildlife ranges well outside of the park boundary, so even roads built outside the park itself will have an impact on the migration.