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Kenya's new railway no threat to sanctuary: conservationist

Xinhua, November 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

The passage of a standard gauge railway (SGR), which is under construction in Kenya, will not affect the ecological health of the national park in Nairobi it plans to pass through, a conservationist has said.

Nairobi-based conservationist and entrepreneur Kiendi Ndambuki said adherence to best international environmental practices will ensure that the construction of the modern railway pose no threat to wildlife at the Nairobi National Park, which is located on the southern edge of the city.

Work on the railway, which will link the port of Mombasa to the country's western border, is being carried out by a Chinese company, with funding from China's Exim Bank.

"To its credit, the contractor of the second phase of the SGR project stretching from Nairobi to Naivasha had exhaustively mapped potential risks to wildlife at Nairobi National Park and came up with an elaborate mitigation plan," Ndambuki said in a commentary published by local dailies on Sunday.

Kenyan authorities have approved the construction of a 6-km overpass through the park as part of the rerouting of the SGR project to ensure free movement of wildlife.

Ndambuki said both the Chinese firm and Kenyan authorities agreed that the SGR was confined to certain sections of the park that have limited flora and fauna.

"The SGR overpass passes through the non-core area of the park with scarce wildlife activities. The long bridge will also allow free passage of wildlife," Ndambuki said.

Ndambuki added the Chinese firm had carried out elaborate sensitization of wildlife protection and related training for its employees before the construction of the overpass through the park.

"Both the employees and contracted parties are aware of actions to take in case they are confronted by certain wildlife conservation situations while on site. This policy is strictly adhered to by all the parties concerned," Ndambuki said.

The overpass will also be installed with noise deflectors to ensure movement of locomotive will not disturb wild animals. Endit