Press Release
Expert Biodiversity Team Assesses Malagarasi River ahead of Hydropower Generation Project
August 24, 2009
A “Dream Team” including some of the world’s leading environmental scientists and social impact experts is hard at work conducting a Biodiversity Assessment at Kigoma’s Igamba Falls on the Malagarasi river. Funded by the American people through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment (RBA) is part of an extensive effort to better understand the eco-system in and around Igamba Falls and to evaluate potential impacts from a proposed U.S.-funded hydropower generation project in Kigoma region.
The team of world renowned scientists is led by Dr. Ellinor Michel, a biologist and mollusk expert from the Natural History Museum in London. Commenting on the breadth of knowledge and experience from a variety of environmental fields, team leader Dr. Michel enthusiastically called the group a “dream team” and agreed that it represented perhaps the largest collection of scientific talent ever gathered in Kigoma region.
Tanzanians joining Dr. Michel include Dr. Rashid Tamatamah, an ecosystem functioning expert from the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr. Haruma Mgana, a specialist in aquatic biology, at TAFIRI-Kigoma, Mr. George Kazumbe an Aquatic Sciences Field technician in Kigoma, and additional medical and logistical experts. Also lending his expertise to the team is Professor Raphael B. Mwalyosi, Ecologist in Integrated Resource Management from the University of Dar es Salaam and Member of Parliament representing Iringa.
The research group also boasts two world-renowned American ichthyologists. Dr. John Friel from Cornell University specializes in catfish and Dr. Robert Schelly of the American Museum of Natural History in New York is a cichlid expert. Dr. Peter McIntyre of the University of Michigan rounds out the ecosystem functioning team. Dr. Klausdouwe Dijkstra is a biologist specializing in aquatic insects from Naturalis, the Netherlands Museum of Natural History.
Also traveling with Dr. Michel’s scientific team as an independent advisor is Professor emeritus Dr. Richard Fuggle, formerly the Shell Chair of Environmental Studies at the University of Cape Town and Director of UCT’s School of Environmental Studies.
The proposed hydropower generation project is part of the U.S.-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) $698 million budget with Tanzania. Funding for the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment additional to the $698 agreement, and is part of extensive efforts to better understand the eco-system in and around Igamba Falls and to evaluate potential impacts from the proposed Kigoma hydropower scheme.
The purpose of the biodiversity assessment team’s work is “to ensure that the project-planners have the most information possible on the potential environmental and social impacts of the hydropower project to enable them to make informed decisions,” according to MCC Resident Country Director Karl Fickenscher.
MCC’s Director of Environmental and Social Assessment in Tanzania, Jonathan Nash agreed, adding, “Everyone involved with the MCC projects understands and appreciates the need for increased, reliable power in Kigoma region.” Nash explained that MCC is hosting the assessment team to learn the best strategy to move forward with the project, while mitigating any negative environmental and social effects discovered. He continued, “MCC’s goal remains an informed, open and transparent decision making process, that all stakeholders understand and support.”
The Malagarasi hydropower/Kigoma Transmission and Distribution activity is only one of many projects simultaneously underway as part of the Millennium Challenge Compact signed by former U.S. President Bush and President Kikwete in 2008. In addition to the planned 8 MW hydropower plant on the Malagarasi, the Compact’s two other significant energy projects are the Zanzibar Interconnector project to provide a new submarine cable from the Mainland to Zanzibar, and the rehabilitation and expansion of transmission and distribution lines in six regions: Mwanza; Tanga; Dodoma; Morogoro; Mbeya; and Iringa. The Compact also includes infrastructure projects in the transportation and water sectors in many regions of Tanzania. A total of $698.1 million in U.S. assistance will be provided under the Compact over a period of five years (2008-2013).