4.3.

Landscape and Physical features

4.3.1. Introduction:

The land surface is characterized by a number of isolated Mountains in the

generally flat and rolling plains.

The lowest point is near Lake Natron, 600 meters above sea level, the highest
point is about 29,000m at Kitumbeine. Steep escarpments extend along the
western border of district. Variations in soils, topography and climate determine
potential for land use, such as suitability for agricultural, pastoral, forestry and wild
life uses.

Monduli District forms part of the rift zone in East Africa, characterized by long,
sunken areas bounded by faults. Movements of the earth known as Continental
lifting caused the old basement to splint into docks, uplifting parts of the basement
and down-warping other parts. The Manyara escarpment in the West (Gregory
Rift) was dissected and Major basics were formed (the Magadi-Natron and
Engaruka Basin) Remnants of the old land forays are found in the central part of
the District.

There are big Volcanic cones such as Gelai, Kitumbeine and Monduli and numerous
small ones, such as Lashaine and Oldonyo Eloron along the road to Monduli
Consisty mainly of loose rock fragments.

Crustal Movements an Volcanic activities caused changes in attitude and in the

nature of underlyizing rocks, and Complete by changed drainage systems.

4.3.2. Rocks:
There are three types of rocks in the District and particularly in the proposed
area. These are described below as follows:

 Basement rocks
The oldest rocks are gneiss which forms part of the basement rocks. They are
found at Lolkisaleand Namanga. Also this type of rocks is found in Esitalei
village due to smaller outcrops or clusters of basement rocks which are
scattered over the District. These smaller outcrops or clusters of basement
rocks are called ‘’Kopjes’’.

 Volcanic rocks:
The District is fuel of volcanic rocks which resulted from volcanic action. The
Volcanic Material always overlay the basement rocks. The dominant Volcanic
Material found is fine grained and dark colored rock called basalt. Upon
weathering basalt and associated rock types give a layers residue. These rocks
sometimes are used by the indigenous for Construction.
 Sedimentary rocks;
Sedimentary rocks include accumulations of unconsolidated sounds and clays.
The sound and clays are commonly calcareous and sound for example, the
Manyara Sediments are parts of sedimentary rocks.

Also there is characterized with volcanic ash deposit in north east of Mount Meru
in the area of Mfereji. Tuff deposits are found east of Mt. Kerimasi.

4.3.3. Soils:
The Soil of Monduli District and specifically the proposed site can be classified
into three categories. These soils have distinctive differences as regards
potentials and constraints for land-lease. They are described briefly as follows:

 Shallow soils
- They have depth of less than 45cm
- Low potential for crop production as the rooting zone is limited
- Both the water storage capacity and nutrients content are low

 Deep soils with impede drainage/Mbuge soil

- Have a depth of More than 45cm
- Have excess water during part of the year (impeded drainage)
- Poor condition for plant growth (impeded drainage)
- Soils found along streams and in enclose due pression and hence
possibilities to drain excess water are after limited
- Soil fertility 13 normally high
- Excess of sodium
- They 11% of the District

 Deep freely drained Soil

- Have a depth of More than 45cm with good drainage
- Generally good a agricultural potential. It is categorized into three sub
groups namely, clay soils, 35% loamy soils 35% and, Sandy soil (70%).

The nature and Composition of the types of soils described above, reflect
different types of economic activities practiced within Monduli District particular
both pastoralists and agriculturalists.

The proposed site has similar characteristics as those described above since the
landscaping formation within the District was the same throughout the District.

Significant impacts:

Negative impacts:

(i) Impacts on socio – cultural and Economic Environment

a) Increase of noise levels
The development will involve construction of store for storage of Material during
construction, the use of generators, Movement of Motor vehicles and crushing of
stones. These activities will generate/produce that may disturb the animals
nearby the proposed area. However some of noise will diminish as soon as all
the phases are complete (ie. Mobilization, Construction and decommissions).
Morever noise due to generators will be controlled by the use of silent
generators.

(ii) Impacts on physical Environment

(a) Increase of Dust level
The activities associated with the proposed development such as construction of
roads will generate dust. This will be due to the clearance of trees, excaution of
soil, cutting and filling of soil on the road and Movement of vehicles.

High level of dust May affect workers and animals nearby the proposed site.

(b) Change in ground water quality

The proposed site has no potential source of water. Due to that, the
development will involve the abstraction of ground water as a source of water
within the area. This will lead to the decrease in groundwater quantity if the
abstraction will be greater than the recharge of the aquifer in which abstraction
will be done.

(c) Waste generation

(i) Liquid waste generation
During operation phase, critical issue will be on liquid waste Management that
might cause significant negative impact on ground water quality. This will always
affect the health of the tourists and workers within the area. However, domestic
waste water will be treated biologically by the use of septic tanks channeled into
the French drain then discharged into the ground. The French drain will be
designed in such a way that it does not cause pollution into the ground water
through ground water percolation.

(ii) Solid waste generation

The solid wastes generated due to the proposed project will include bottles, tins,
plastic bags, food remains, and other materials due to remains construction
material, garage and services. These will affect the animals (food remains) and
create problems to scenic value of the area and the environment in general if not
property handled.

(iii) Impacts on Ecological environment

(a) Harassment of animals
The proposed development will cause disturbance to animals due to Movement
of vehicles, noise, to dust generated during construction and operation phase.
The presence of people at site, shining building materials and other associated
activities will change the natural quiescent environment. Since the proposed
area is nearby the animals migratory corridor, these may cause the blockage of
the corridor by scaring animals to pass through the corridor and hence prevent
the exchange of generated between the national parks which are linked by that
corridor. This situation will create disturbance to animals.

(b) Deforestation and tree cutting.

The construction of proposed Lodge will involve different activities which may
lead to negative impact on the vegetation within and outside the area. Site
clearing, excavation and delivery of construction materials for the construction of
the lodge and its associated structures may involve the cutting of trees from
within and nearby the area.

Also, since it was observed that the indigenous of Esitalei village use firewood for
cooking, the increase of people due to project during construction and operation
phase may increase the use of fuel wood and hence increase the tendency of
cutting trees.

It is obvious that some of the trees will be cleared to give room for construction
thus leading to deforestation.

However, no threatened plants and animal’s species were identified in the site.
Therefore, vegetation clearance is not expected to affect any species of special
conservation status other than simply opening up the area and changing the
micro conditions.

In addition to that the construction of lodge will not involve the cutting of trees
as building Materials. Building Materials will be collected from outside the site.

(C) Introduction of Alien and Invasive species.

Alien species are organism which is found outside their natural environment.
They become invasive species, invade and story local species loss of the native
species.
The proposed development will involve delivery of construction materials from
outside the site, some of which may contain seed or propagates of alien species.

Also operation phase of the lodge will involve delivery of fruits and other food
stuffs visitors an lodge staff. Some of these supplies will be disposed of as solid
wastes after either preparation or consumption. Disposal of solid waste May
cause a significant treat to the environment if the waste contains viable seeds
with the ability to sprout and spread on the disposal areas.

Positive Impact:
(a) Change in Habitat quality.
The decommissioning of the Lodge will involve demolition of structures and
removal of rubble and spoil Materials. Such activity will return the site to its
original condition prior to the construction of the Lodge and enhance the
ecological and habitat quality of the area.

The following enhancement Measures are proposed:

- The developer should undertake the rehabilitation of the area by removing
all the artificial Materials and reclaim all the land by allowing natural
vegetation to grow.

MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES.

This chapter will provide mitigation measures for significant impacts in all phases
of the project. The developer is required to implement these mitigation
measures in order to prevent or minimize adverse environmental and social
impacts of the project. However, enhancement measures are also provided to
enhance positive impacts of the project.

7.1. Mitigation Measures:

(i) Impacts on social cultural and Economic Environment

(a) Increase of noise levels

The following Mitigation Measures have to be implemented and after
 Minimize period of mobilization as short as possible
 Use noise dampening equipment
 Use stand by generators (85 db)
 Some building Material to be processed outside the proposed site
  Use of stand by generators that supply to an inverter system which would
avoid the necessity for continuous running of generators

(b) Change in groundwals quality

- Ensure minimum use of water

(c) Animals Harassment (Disturbance to animals)

 Developer to enforce strict code of conduct to tour operators to respect
and adhere to rules including observing speed limits within the area.
 The use of natural materials which blend with the environment
 Use of silent generators

(d) Increase in Dust level

The following mitigation measures are proposed to prevent or minimize this
problem.
 Cover construction Matering
 Watering of road during road construction
 Restrict activities to core construction area
 Wearing protective facilities (Noise Musk)
 Adhere to the time and schedule of construction

(e) Introduction of Aliem and Invasive species

(f) The cutting

The following mitigation measures are proposed

- The developer should avoid the use of trees from within the area as
construction materials.

Change in Land use:

Current the land is used by the indigenous as a grazing area and small
agricultural activities. The proposed development will change the use of the land
from grazing to commercial use.

Also due to increase in number of people including tourists some of the

indigenous will shift from agricultural activities into businesses activities at
Esitalei village. Due to that the project is likely to change the land use in areas
surrounding the proposed site and within the site.
I n addition to that, since the proposed site is found near bye the migratory
corridor (Jangwani corridor). If care will not be taken the project May block the
corridor and change its use as a corridor. This will affect the Movement of
animals from Manyara to other National parks and hence prevent the exchange
of generation between the animals form different areas. This may lead to some
species to diverse and eventually to disappear completely.

5. Species Diversity