I will not safari with Somak
- by: Anne Rose
- recipient: Somak
Olkeju Ronkai Ltd. have nearly completed the construction of a brand new fenced lodge - Ashnil Emuny Mara Camp - in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The lodge is situated inside important rhino habitat crucial for the survival of the indigenous black rhino population of the Mara.
The Rhino Programme Warden, the Minister for Local Government, the local County Council and Kenya's National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) all originally opposed the construction of the camp due to the threat it would have on the rhino population.
Despite all this, the construction of the camp continued and is now almost completed.
Two of the Directors of Somak Holidays are the main Shareholders of Ashnil Hotels Ltd. Even if the authorities are not able to stop the ongoing destruction of the Masai Mara, I at least will refuse to spend my money on safaris with Somak until Ashnil Hotels Ltd. agree to TAKE DOWN THE CAMP.
I enjoy safaris because I love wildlife, not because I want to destroy it.
mrsannerose@gmail.com
More Info: Olkeju Ronkai Ltd. secured the lease to develop land inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, this land was then leased to Ashnil Emuny Mara Ltd. whose shareholders are Suresh Sofat and his wife.
Emuny Mara then brought in Ashnil Hotels Ltd. to develop and market the camp. The shareholders of Ashnil Hotels are Suresh Sofat and his wife, the parents to Ashish and Anil Sofat (Ashish Anil = Ashnil).
In the UK, Somak Holidays is the trading name of Somak Travel Ltd. The company secretary is Ashish Sofat and the directors are Stuart Britton, Anil Sofat, Ashish Sofat, Sadhana Sofat, Sanjeev Sofat and Suresh Sofat.
On 10th February, Somak Holidays agreed to suspend sales of the Olkeju Ronkai Camp development in the Masai Mara and remove all references to the camp from their website. There is however no comment yet on what the Sofat Family will do with the camp.
For more information, research papers, news articles (including Somak press releases) please visit:
Say No To Somak Website: http://sites.google.com/site/saynotosomak/
Stay updated by joining the group on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=255077467198
"Dr Matt Walpole of the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, did his post doctoral and in his studies, it shows that the best habitats for rhinos in the Masai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) is in close proximity to rivers and drainage lines. This is because it provides cover for rhinos to hide during the day, feeding and drinking resources. However, rhinos in the Mara have a tendency to avoid areas close to tourist lodges and camps[...]
The reason for its value as a rhino habitat is the presence of the Olkeju Ronkai stream, Talek and the Mara rivers, the relatively thick surrounding forest/bushes and its relative isolation from tourism infrastructure. Although tourists visit the area, visitation is limited by distance from lodges and limited road access. The proposed tourism development in this area would increase access, visitation and permanent settlement that would disturb rhinos and prevent them from using this critical area."
Samson P Lenjir, Rhino Programme Warden 6th May 2006
We therefore ask Somak to be responsible with its tourism ventures and remove all association from Ashnil Mara Camp.
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