After a 6 hour drive North of Kampala, our 5 safari vans arrived at Murchison Falls National Park. Named for the famed 43 meter high water fall, Murchison Falls, the park was established in 1952. The park is home to a wide variety of species including lions, giraffes, and elephants. We were able to see all of these as well as the many species of antelope and birds during our early morning safari. Many students were also visited by hippos and warthogs overnight in our Red Chilli tents and bandas. After our early morning safari we toured the Nile by boat and saw even more hippos, elephants, crocodiles.
One of Uganda's major industries is tourism, an industry that Murchison Falls and other national game parks help support. However a recent development means that Murchison Falls is now also supporting the oil industry; as of right now there are approximately 450 oil rigs in the park. Overall the park rangers are currently dealing with the conflict between oil and wildlife and which is more important for the future of Uganda. Currently it's difficult to predict the future behavior of the animals in the park, it's much easier to put a dollar figure on each barrel of oil exported from the park than it is to out a dollar figure on the effect of potential animal migration. For now due to the uncertainty the government will likely continue to favor oil over the protection of the important biodiversity within Murchison Falls.
Megan, I completely agree that at the moment, the government will favor digging for oil in Murchison Falls National Park simply because the necessity for the profit is more obvious than the fuzziness of the affect the oil rigs will have on the wildlife. However, I think it is also important to recognize that while the oil will provide instant profit to the nation, the way the money is used may not be used in a sustainable way. If this is the case, then what will result is possibly a negative impact on the wildlife and a lack of improvement in the economy of the nation. I know that I personally found the safari to be an irreplaceable experience full of breathtaking moments, and I would not want to see Murchison Falls National Park exploited for the oil that rests under it at the expense of the animals--the reason the park and rangers are there in the first place. In my opinion, I believe that more marketing to attract visitors to the park to appreciate and experience Ugandan wildlife will have a more sustainable effect on the nationalism of the Ugandan people, the profit of surrounding businesses as well as the park, and on the environment.
ReplyDeleteMegan - I love what you said about the simplicity of assigning a dollar amount to each barrel of oil and the impossibility of assigning such to the migrating animals. From an economic benefit perspective, however, I think Uganda should focus on improving the areas it already excels at rather than focusing on oil. Uganda has some of the most fertile soil in the world and can capitalize on this by improving their strength in agricultural. In the next 15-25 years, food will become one of the world's most valuable resources as the rest of the planet is overrun with manufacturing and other developments. Uganda could provide a very necessary resource by pursuing the export of food rather than the export of oil!
ReplyDeleteI think that the country will decided to extract the oil because of the profit it will generate. Not only will the oil bring profit itself, but it will also help create more jobs in the area and help with the overall infrastructure of Northern Uganda.
ReplyDeleteAs for the tourism profit the national park generates, I think due to the distance from other parks and high populated areas, Murchison Falls will be favored for the oil rather than its wildlife. Other national parks in Uganda are located near one another which makes them more popular for safaris.
Megan-I think the oil extraction from Murchison Falls may seem like the wrong move by the Ugandan government due to the health and safety of the animals, however, I view it as the right direction for Uganda to move in. Currently, the world has not made the shift to finding more ecological sound energy sources. Therefore, it would be unrealistic to ask Uganda to not drill for oil when the demand for oil is so high throughout the world. I also think that the tourism industry at Murschison is not feasible due to the location of the park. It is too far of a distance for the average traveler to go to. Furthermore, when I discussed with the MUBS students the tourism industry in Uganda, they remarked that Ugandans do not typically go on vacation. Therefore, I think even if the park was advertised more effectively, there would not be an increase in tourism within the country as the culture norm is not to go on vacation. I think that as long as the animals are kept in mind during the drilling process, this is the best way to create profit in that area.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I think the park will choose to move in the direction of oil over the animals, and that in many ways this is the most economically feasible route. I hope that this will the benefit the country but one thing that I fear is that the profit earned will in turn not be allocated in a way that truly benefits the country. One of the park rangers I spoke to phrased the country's budget choices as "favoring the bellies that are already big over the bellies that are small." I think that corruption may lead to a misuse of money, and then neither the park nor the people of Uganda will benefit. I don't think there is one clear, correct answer at this point that will be most advantageous to Uganda overall. So as oil drilling continues we will just have to see how the government chooses to act. Hopefully the country will at least benefit in some way or another.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures Megan and wonderful discussion about the impact of oil production! This was one of the best safaris I have been on and it would be a shame if future generations don't have the same opportunities!
ReplyDeleteI think that Ambassador DeLisi's comment today adequately speaks to the situation in the park. The Ambassador said that the oil in the park is finite, however, if a conscious effort is made to preserve the biodiversity of the park, the park can generate revenue long after the oil would. I think this is an important aspect to consider as we discuss sustainable development. Personally, I believe the preservation of the wildlife would be a better sustainable plan in the long-run.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at the profitability of oil and tourism at this point of time it makes sense that oil will promote the most economic growth. But at the same time is it necessary to destroy a beautiful ecosystem? Drilling for oil will only give profit to particular individuals and if there was a promotion of tourism in the area everyone will benefit. Tourism will promote the sustainable development in the region and give way to a promising future.
ReplyDeleteFrom the perspective of the Ugandan people oil would be the obvious choice. Poverty and lack of money is rampant throughout the country of Uganda creating a need and oil is able to fill that need. It will bring jobs to Uganda as well as money from the taxes on the oil. Much of that tax money could be used to serve the citizens of Uganda and improve infrastructure, health care and other various public services. Although this sounds good, I doubt much of this money will benefit Uganda as a whole and instead benefit a few due to the level of corruption that is present. Instead, it seems that a burden will be placed on Uganda as it loses its wildlife and tourism leading many small businesses to potentially face financial hardship. It can be argued that the discovery of oil has not been a blessing in Uganda but rather a temptation that could lead to financial ruin for many Ugandan citizens. Many in the area argue that tourism will promote a sustainable business model that is never ending but the counter argument is that the financial rewards will take years to equate to what oil could do for the country in a fraction of the time. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out and if the people of Uganda value a short-term reward or a long-term sustainable model.
ReplyDeleteEasily the highlight of almost everyone's trip this year!
ReplyDeleteAlthough as of right now the oil will bring in a lot more revenue than tourism will, eventually that oil will run out and by the time that happens it will probably be too late to have high tourism and preserve the wildlife in Murchison Falls. The problem with trying to see which one will bring in more money is it is comparing apples to oranges. The oil will bring in tons of revenue but won't last forever, and the money will only benefit the drilling companies and the government for exporting it etc. On the other side, tourism is a longer lasting industry that is sustainable, can be preserved and enjoyed for years to come. Tourism will bring in revenue to travel agencies, hotels, safari companies, locals trying to sell crafts to tourists etc. When thinking about this tough issue it is necessary to look at the big picture for each option and then decide which one in the long run is more sustainable and better for Uganda. It would be a shame to see this beautiful national park ruined by the drilling. Great Pictures too!(:
This has to be probably my most favorite experience in the trip. I thought it was amazing to see exotic animals that we don’t tend to see everyday in person, animals that aren’t in a cage in the zoo or no the TV/internet. I also feel oil vs. tourism dilemma is very unfortunate pickle to be stuck in. But in my opinion, the oil can provide a much a larger and faster quantity of money, and then maybe the trade off is worth it. As we know, Uganda is still developing in many different ways and with this solution; they would not need to be as dependent for foreign aid.
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