Tanzanian President John Magufuli closed a deal worth $3bn for a hydro-electric power plant construction on the Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve, which is a Unesco World Heritage site, amid widespread criticism fro environmentalists.
The East African country cites after the completion of the dam the total power supply will double up. However, conservationists argue the plant will destroy wildlife habitat.
Magufuli signed the deal with two Egyptian construction companies saying the plant will boost development and offer more electricity to the population.
Currently just about 30 percent of the population has access to electricity.
Meanwhile, global environmental body WWF has commented on the deal saying it will endanger livelihoods of about 200,000 fishermen, farmers and other people.
A report released last year by WWF reveals the upcoming plant on the river could lead to greater erosion downstream and this will result with the drying of lakes and less attract wildlife tourism thereafter. More to this, fertility of farmland will also be reduced, causing retreat of Rufiji Delta.
The Selous Game Reserve is home to rhinos, elephants and several variety of animal species. The region has already seen fall in the numbers of rhinos and elephants due to poaching. WWF reveals the decline is by 90 percent in last four decades.
