i LIST OF ACRONYMS CBD - The Convention on Biological Diversity, TAWA - Tanzania Wildlife Management known informally as the Biodiversity Authority Convention TAWIRI - Tanzania Wildlife Research CBO - Community Based Organisation Institute TDP – Tourism Development Plan CITES – Convention on International Trade TTB - Tanzania Tourist Board in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and UNCCD - The United Nations Convention Flora to Combat Desertification UNFCCC - The United Nations Framework CMS – The Convention on the Conservation Convention on Climate Change of Migratory Species of Wild Animals UK – United Kingdom USD – United States Dollar DC – District Commissioner WRMA – Water Resources Management Act DED – District Executive Director TIC – Tanzania Investment Centre DG – Director General TATO – Tanzania Association of Tour DGO – District Game Officer Operators DTO – District Tourism Officer TDPC – Tourism Development Planning EAC – East African Community Committee EECDI – Engaresero Eramatare Community SSEA – Strategic Social Environmental Development Initiative Assessment FNR – Forests Nature Reserve TTMS – Tanzania Tourism Marketing GDP – Gross Domestic Products Strategy GMP – General Management Plan TCT – Tourism Confederation of Tanzania GR – Game Reserve NT – Nature Tanzania IUCN - The International Union for TANROAD - The Tanzania National Roads Conservation of Nature Agency LGA – Local Government Authority TARURA – Tanzania Rural and Urban Road MNRT - Ministry of Natural Resources and Agency Tourism ESIA – Environmental and Social Impact MZP – Management Zone Plan Assessment MPDO – Maasai Pastoralist Development NLUPC – National Land Use Planning Organization Commission NCAA - Ngorongoro Conservation Area NEMC – National Environmental Authority Management Council NGO - Non-Governmental Organisation WTO - World Tourism Organization NP – National Parks WWF - World Wildlife Fund PAs – Protected Areas RAS – Regional Administrative Secretary SDG – Sustainable Development Goals SENAPA - Serengeti National Park TANAPA - Tanzania National Parks Authority TATO - Tanzania Association of Tour Operators iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Lake Natron Ramsar Site, a shallow salt lake Discussions held with all the six villages found in Northern Tanzania, Arusha Region (Engaresero, Pinyinyi, Oldonyo Lengai, is the world’s most important and regular Engaruka, Magadini and Wosi Wosi) found breeding ground for Lesser Flamingos in Lake Natron Ramsar Site revealed low (Phoeniconaias minor) which are listed as capacity in the knowhow for villagers to Near Threatened by International Union effectively participate in tourism business for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The ventures as the case may be for most Lake is located in the district authorities communities living in rural areas in the of Ngorongoro and Longido. In recognition country. Except for a few, there is also a of the ecological and social role that this glaring lack of exposure and awareness on unique wetland plays, the Government of how to engage and run a tourism business Tanzania declared Lake Natron a Ramsar and at the same time, many lack the Site in 2011. The Ramsar Site covers an area necessary capital for investment. It is no of 2250 km2 and its boundary. Lake Natron wonder, therefore, to see the youths and is also identified by BirdLife International women of Engaresero Village finding niches as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The Lake is in Guiding services and sale of artifacts uniquely set nestled between the western that they are capitalizing on in delivering escarpments of the Great Rift Valley; a specialized services and products that are series of mountains including Oldonyo slowly proving fruitful. They are learning Lengai to the south; Gelai and Oldonyo how to handle visitors and benefit from Sambu Mountains on the Eastern side and them. to the north are Shompole Mountains in Kenya. The environment of Lake Natron is The trend in tourist visitation has been harsh but contains a variety of habitats upward and there is great expectation for that support diverse species of flora the future to be even brighter. As such it and fauna. Moreover, the unspoiled local is time that tourism development planning culture and tradition of Maasai provide is done to integrate the local communities’ a lifetime experience for international participation and benefiting in the lucrative and national visitors. The Lake, therefore, tourism business. The ongoing construction provides unspoiled wilderness in a good of a tarmac trunk road joining Waso and mix with culture and bird watching thus Mto-wa-Mbu via Engaresero will benefit attracting tourists to the area for the last the expansion of tourism business and two decades and their numbers are on the operations. This will latter translate good increase. Tourism is a highly competitive benefits to local communities residing Lake business due to its high demands in the Natron area and its outskirts. The annual quality of services, amenities and products tourist carrying capacity for Lake Natron sought by the tourists. In Tanzania, tourist was agreed to be at 10,000 tourists. This is hospitality covers major business areas that considering the current infrastructure and include transportation (air, sea and land), capacity to host tourists. Future planning accommodation, guiding, entertainment and development should, therefore, take and cultural exchange. into account the above-proposed number. Tourist planning in Tanzania and especially Human encroachment on Lake Natron is in the countryside like Lake Natron would low although the rate of sedimentation normally need the backing of good research and siltation is high at Pinyinyi River from into the potential of the natural resources small scale irrigation activities. Tourism to ensure they are known and in a state to developments are already coming into be used. the area which calls for preparedness in guiding infrastructure developments to iv safeguard natural resources and amenities of the area by avoiding erosion and degradation of resources and the fragile Some of the actions from this TDP includes; natural environment. The preparation of i. Maintenance and improvement this Tourism Development Plan is intended of hiking trails to Oldonyo Lengai and to promote attractions in the whole of Lake Engaresero waterfalls. Natron Basin including in the other villages ii. Development and implementation of where there are currently no tourist village Land Use Plans and Urban Master activities. TDP aims to provide systematic Plans guidance leading to the gradual growth iii. Catchment restoration through of tourism within the Lake Natron Basin the planting of indigenous trees at key landscape. This TDP also highlights areas catchments and at community lands. of inventory and research that need urgent iv. Conduct training in courses that work. This includes ensuring environmental builds on skills and entrepreneurship to and social impact assessments are taken local tour guides and businesswomen and into account in all development projects. men. This is considering the fragility of the Lake v. Support access to micro-finance Natron ecosystem. services to boost businesses. The goal of this Lake Natron TDP is “Implementation of sustainable tourism business as a tool for conservation and community empowerment at Lake Natron Ramsar Site”. This TDP has set 5 objectives which are; - Promote sustainable tourism business at Lake Natron for sustainable development. - Guide the implementation and coordination of sustainable tourism, investment and marketing. - Support local communities to become role players and beneficiaries of tourism business. - Coordinate the removal of multiple barriers (physical, administrative, policy) that hinder the growth of tourism. - Promote cooperation amongst tourism stakeholders for the effective delivery of services. v Tables of Contents FOREWORD BY THE ARUSHA REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY (RAS) 3 LIST OF ACRONYMS 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 3.1 Background 8 INTRODUCTION 8 3.3 Lesser Flamingo breeding at Lake Natron Ramsar Site 10 3.4 Community structure 12 5.0 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND ARRANGEMENTS 22 5.1 Institutional framework in the Conservation and Preservation of Attractions 22 5.2 Tourism Development 24 5.3 Institutional Collaboration 25 5.4 Methodology, Approach and Process for Lake Natron TDP 26 5.5 Stakeholder Engagement and Participation 27 6.0 ATTRACTIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 32 6.1 Uniqueness of Lake Natron Ramsar Site for Ecotourism 32 6.1.1 Wildlife 34 6.1.2 Water 35 6.1.3 Forests 35 6.1.4 Mountains 35 6.2.3 Cultural/historical tourism products 37 6.3 Categories of tourist attractions 37 7.0 CONSERVATION AND TOURISM 39 7.1 Tourism and Eco-tourism Business 39 8.0 ECO-TOURISM MARKET ANALYSIS 40 8.1 Introduction 40 8.2 The area and getting there 40 8.3 Tourism Market Analysis 40 8.4 Tourist Accommodation Facilities at Engaresero which is presently the centre of tourist activities 41 8.4 Tourism Marketing Strategy 42 9.0 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN – ACTION PLAN 43 9.1 ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND ECO-TOURISM BARRIERS 43 9.3 Goal of Lake Natron Tourism Development Plan (TDP) 45 9.4 Objectives of the Tourism Development Plan 45 10.0 REVENUE SHARING PLAN 57 11.0 CARRYING CAPACITY 58 vi INTRODUCTION 3.1 Background Tourism earns Tanzania substantial foreign Lake Natron is a Wetland of International exchange (Over USD 2 billion per annum) Importance under the Ramsar Convention representing a contribution equal to 35% hence termed as Lake Natron Ramsar Site. of GDP and 17% of Gross National