Browsing by Author "Nyahongo, Julius W."

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    Human Rights and Conservation of Biodiversity Considerations Associated with Roads in The Serengeti: Response to Hopcraft Et Al.: Response to Hopcraft et al.
    (2015-02) Fyumagwa, Robert D.; Hassan, Shombe N.; Kideghesho, Jafari; Kohi, Edward M.; Magige, Flora J.; Mfunda, Iddi M.; Mwakatobe, A.; Ntalwila, Janemary; Nyahongo, Julius W.; Runyoro, V.; Røskaft, Eivin
    We are pleased that Hopcraft et al. (2015) responded to our article (Fyumagwa et al. 2013) “Roads as a Threat to the Serengeti Ecosystem.” Many of the authors of this response are senior scientists and conservationists who have worked in the Serengeti ecosystem for decades and have made substantial contributions to ecology and conservation. We therefore take their criticisms seriously. The Serengeti ecosystem contains 2 world heritage sites; thus, international input into developing the region in a sustainable way is welcome. We believe, as do others (e.g., Kareiva 2014), that conservation efforts should consider the livelihoods of people inhabiting an area, independent of the size and density of the human population. Addressing the needs of human communities is consistent with the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the 5th World Parks Congress (2003), which link conservation with human development and poverty reduction (Christ et al. 2003; Eagles 2014). In Fyumagwa et al. (2013), our primary focus is sustainable conservation and human development in the Serengeti ecosystem. We also consider the cost of road construction and the indirect consequences likely to have the greatest effects on nature. In contrast, Hopcraft et al. focus on how to connect the eastern and western towns in northern Tanzania. We believe a holistic view of the situation is needed and invite all parties to collaborate §§Address correspondence to E. Røskaft, email roskaft@bio.ntnu.n
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    Roads as a Threat to the Serengeti Ecosystem
    (Wiley, 2015-03-26) Fyumagwa, Robert D.; Gereta, E.; Hassan, Shombe N.; Kideghesho, Jafari; Kohi, Edward M.; Keyyu, Julius; Mwakatobe, A.; Ntalwila, Janemary; Nyahongo, Julius W.; Runyoro, V.; Røskaft, Eivin; Magige, Flora J.; Mfunda, Iddi M.
    In an opinion letter to Nature (September 2010), Dobsonet al. (2010) oppose the planned road through north-ern Tanzania that crosses Serengeti National Park (SNP)(Fig. 1). They contend that the road will jeopardize theSerengeti ecosystem by interrupting the wildebeest (Con-nochaetes taurinus) migratory corridor. This opinion issupported by other scientists using mathematical models(Holdo et al. 2011). However, all arguments presentedagainst the project have been questioned (Homewoodet al. 2010). As has often been the case in the conserva-tion of African natural resources, some scientists presentviews that do not account for other key components ofconservation: economic growth, reduction of poverty,improvement of quality of life, and social well-being. Asscientists working in Serengeti, we believe that the pub-lished reports about the Serengeti road mislead the worldabout its potential effects on the ecosystem