NEMA Reviews Athi Dam Plan in Tsavo East

The government has announced plans to build a large dam inside Tsavo East National Park, a proposal expected to renew concerns over development in Kenya’s protected wildlife areas.
A notice by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) says the National Irrigation Authority is seeking approval for the proposed Athi Dam and associated irrigation works within the park in Taita Taveta County.
The plan calls for a combined concrete and rock-fill dam capable of holding 306.4 million cubic metres of water.
The project is expected to form a reservoir spanning about 38 square kilometres, roughly 13 kilometres long and six kilometres wide, inside the park.
The notice set a 30-day window for comments to be considered as part of the approval process for the project.
The dam is intended to regulate river flows, control sediment movement and support irrigation through a wide water conveyance network. It is planned to reach a maximum height of 34 metres and serve as a major storage point for irrigation water.
The environmental impact assessment says the project could bring serious ecological effects, including loss of habitat, fragmentation of ecosystems, reduced biodiversity, displacement of wildlife, increased human-wildlife conflict and changes to natural water flow patterns.
To limit the damage, the report recommends wildlife overpasses, ongoing ecological monitoring, habitat restoration and closer observation of wildlife populations.
It also proposes the creation of artificial water pools for animals such as hippos and crocodiles.
The proposal follows another government-backed conservation initiative that recently drew public anger and legal challenges over plans affecting protected land inside Nairobi National Park.
Earlier this month, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced plans to relocate the Nairobi Animal Orphanage from its current site within Nairobi National Park.
The agency said the relocation was needed because more injured, orphaned and displaced animals require rehabilitation.
However, the plan faced strong opposition from environmental lobby groups after it emerged that about 76 acres of indigenous upland forest inside Nairobi National Park would be cleared for the project.
Critics also questioned plans for an eight-acre parking facility and related infrastructure connected to the proposed Bomas International Convention Centre.
The dispute led to protests outside Nairobi National Park involving former Chief Justice David Maraga and several activists.