Context:
Experts have reported a steady decline in the population of flamingos at Lake Natron. The decrease is attributed to extreme weather conditions and encroachment, resulting in fewer birds returning to the lake each year.
Relevance:
GS III: Species in News
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Lake Natron
- Key Facts about the Great Rift Valley
About Lake Natron:
- Location and Composition:
- Lake Natron is a salt lake situated on the border between Tanzania and Kenya, part of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley.
- It is designated as a Ramsar site and is known for its unique combination of warm waters, salt, caustic soda, and magnesite deposits, which create ideal conditions for flamingos.
- Hydrology and Features:
- The lake is primarily fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, originating from central Kenya.
- Notably, Lake Natron has a striking red color, primarily due to its extreme alkalinity.
- Environmental Threats:
- The lake’s ecosystem is threatened by various factors, including agriculture, pollution, and climate change, which jeopardize its unique beauty.
Key Facts about the Great Rift Valley:
- Geographical Significance:
- The Great Rift Valley is one of the most extensive rifts on Earth’s surface, stretching across a large part of East Africa. It is part of the East African Rift System (EARS).
- It extends from Jordan in southwestern Asia to the coast of the Indian Ocean in central Mozambique.
- Countries Spanned:
- The rift runs through multiple countries, including Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.
-Source: Down To Earth
