Highway through the Serengeti

Just about a year ago, we had a chance to visit the famed Serengeti National Park. Even though we didn't go during the Great Migration when millions of animals thunder through the magnificent plains for food and water, it was still unforgettable. 


So we join the many people around the world who are distressed by government plans to build a road through the park. We know it's complicated. People living along the proposed road say they've been "praying for it for years" since it potentially means cheaper goods, quicker access to neighboring towns and hospitals and maybe even electricity and cell phone coverage one day. 


In response to concerns from environmental groups around the world, one spokesperson for the president said, "you guys always talk about animals but we need to think about people." No one can deny that the Tanzanian government should "think about people", but surely it's prudent to "think about people" as existing within and benefiting from a fragile ecosystem that is also one of the planet's great treasures. 


If you want to read more, there's a recent NYT article about it right here: Serengeti Road Plan.