Kenya's plan to build dams on the River Mara and its tributaries poses a threat to the rich animal and plant life of Serengeti ecosystem that attracts tourists.
The habitat, comprising, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya has the River Mara as the only permanent source of water for the herds of wildebeest and other wildlife that migrate between the two countries.
Conservationists are concerned that the iconic ecosystem until recently threatened by a major new highway in Tanzania will now face a new peril from the dams.
Such dams could potentially reduce the amount of water flowing from Kenya to Tanzania and could spark a diplomatic spat should the EAC agreement be invoked in support or censure of the proposed projects.
Prof Eric Wolanski of James Cook University, Australia, says international efforts are needed to save the Serengeti as Kenya stands to reap all the economic benefits of the dams while Tanzania will remain saddled with environmental problems.
"Tanzania has to be involved as an equal partner with Kenya in the decision-making about managing the Mara and Ewaso Ngiro rivers. If that is not possible, then the financing of these dams must be stopped," he said.
