Conservationists urge Government to stop drilling in Hell's Gate park

Hell's Gate National Park is the subject of a major row over the
Government's decision to explore geothermal power in the park.
[PHOTO: FILE]

By Antony Gitonga

Naivasha, Nakuru County: A major row has erupted over the world renowned Hell's Gate National Park in Naivasha and the move by the Government to drill geothermal power in park.

Experts are warning that the park could lose its glory adding that various species of birds, mainly vultures, have either left the area or died.

They now want a contract on geothermal exploration between Kengen and Hell's Gate reviewed.

According to Simon Thomset from Hell's Gate park management committee, the exploration was being done inside the park which is home to some of the endangered bird species in the world.

“We used to have five species of vultures here that was a major attraction but only one is left and their number is less than ten,” he said.

The conservationist, who has been in the area for more than 20 years, said more focus was on wild animals at the park yet human activity continued to cause degradation.

“Hells Gate is a protected park but we are afraid the ongoing geothermal exploration is making things worse for animals in the area,” he said.

The renowned conservationist noted that half of the park is been used on the projects yet it is supposed to protect the dwindling numbers of wildlife.

He called on Parliament to review the contract between Kengen and KWS for the exploration adding that there was more than meets the eye in the deal.

“We are losing our national heritage by allowing this exploration to take place in the park as animals here are no longer safe with hundreds of people and vehicles passing through each day.”

He said poaching was on the increase and KWS was unable to patrol the area as those passing through the park were said to be workers from companies that have been contracted to carry out the duties.

Thomset was speaking during a consultative stakeholders meeting on the environmental impact of Olkaria and Eburru geothermal exploration projects.

During the meeting, Kengen’s geothermal development manager Geoffrey Muchemi was taken to task over the projects with the stakeholders saying that they were creating an environment mess in the area.

According to Douglas Gachucha from the Lake Naivasha Nature club, the projects were slowly eliminating the park from former self.

Gachucha said the wild animals were escaping from the area noting that if the trend continued, the park would be a thing of the past.

However, Muchemi defended Kengen saying once the impact assessment was done, the company would work on the recommendations.

He called on stakeholders to give their input on how best to conserve the environment while producing clean energy.