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Source– This post on Lake Natron has been created based on the article “Flamingos under threat: Climate impact jeopardising delicate balance of Tanzania’s Lake Natron” published in “Down to Earth” on 24th June 2024.
Why in the news?
Experts note a steady decline in the flamingo population at Lake Natron, as extreme weather and encroachment cause fewer birds to return each year.
About Lake Natron
![Lake Natron map - showing roads, rivers and safari camps - Tanzania](https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.01c5d5cbf3d3297d105a891b69f37039?rik=G8jdNe1GGrv8Tw&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.expertafrica.com%2fimages%2fmaps2008%2fLake-Natronw.jpg&ehk=dJ00EtDD0F%2bNpfE1UcQvKId2JIOzXLvXRcBR%2bTeIZEs%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
Aspects | Description |
Location | It is situated on the border between Tanzania and Kenya. It is part of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. |
Features | 1. It contains warm waters with high levels of salt, caustic soda, and magnesite deposits. 2. It is ideal conditions for flamingos to thrive. 3. The lake’s extreme alkalinity gives it a striking red hue. 4. It is recognized as a Ramsar site, indicating its importance as a wetland of international significance. |
Fed by | It is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River which originates from central Kenya. |
Threat | Agriculture, pollution, and climate change pose significant threats to this unique ecosystem. |
UPSC Syllabus: World Geography