Eco-Lodge
Social-Environmental-Tourism
Carbon-Neutral– We aim to be carbon neutral by firstly using as little energy as possible and by absorbing our carbon production via indigenous tree planting. From 2005-2009 we have planted over 2500 indigenous trees. By protecting the environment we enable the naturally seeding trees to flourish,therefore the forest is naturally thickening and expanding.
Hydro-Electricity – We generate our own 220Volt clean hydro-electric power from the spring fed dam. Almost all light bulbs are energy saving and long lasting. We aim to have power at all times.
Hot Water – Water is heated in boilers using carbon-neutral firewood harvested in the grounds or from nearby plantations. Drain water is not wasted and is soaked back into the local ground water.
Drinking Water – All water at Ngare Sero comes direct from the springs. Bottled mineral water and ice cubes are Katadyn filtered and safe.
Ngare Sero Springs and Riverine Forest
We are undertaking a collaborative project of water supply and management, forest preservation and tree re-planting.
Location
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge is located beside a significant spring producing a stream which becomes part of the Pangani River catchment. The spring is protectedby a small forest reserve. Since Mount Meru is a steep volcano,run-off tends to be via torrents so that the only reliable supply of water is from springs which emerge on the lower slopes. Above this level there are only small forest-fed springs which are now insufficient for the population.
Environmental Efficiency
The lodge infra-structure is as much as possible organic and environmentally efficient. Through protection of the forest reserve and tree planting we are preserving a sustainable water supply. Damming the spring has made three lakes that support many species and a healthy ecosystem.
The first dam also allows for the production of hydro-electricity and water pumping by hydraulic ram requiring no external energyinput.
The second dam oxygenates the water for our organic trout farm for supplying the lodge and a wider market.
The third dam has two hydro-turbines for water pumping to the schools and villages around the forest boundary.
Compost from over grown weeds from the lake, garden plants and manure from the stables are mixed and matured to create a powerful compost for the gardens and agriculture. Our power and water consumption is low. Sewage is treated and re-cycled by soaking into the ground as is all waste water. Organic food waste is fed to village pigs and inorganic waste is burned for a lack of any other option.
Employment of about 35 people by Ngare Sero Lodge, and all live locally. Most have had on the job training and improvement of skills.
Problems
People come from afar, on foot, to collect water from the Ngare Sero springs and reservoir and carry it back, up-hill, to their homes. There are now two schools about a kilometre above Ngare SeroSprings and the pupils come every morning to collect water for the day. Water is also piped from the reservoir for communities and institutions below.
Apart from the effort required in carrying the water so far, there is a risk of pollution and environmental damage due to the number of people coming to the water source. People are inclined to wash laundry and to bathe in the springs. There is a further risk of people mixing dangerous agro-chemicals for knapsack sprayers.
When coming to the springs to collect water people are also damaging the forest. Tracks running down the steep slopes encourage erosion and silting.
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge has to guard the springs and forest for all users.
Solutions
In order to protect the forest and the water quality the following action is urgently required:
Pump water to several water storage tanks and stand-pipes positioned around the perimeter of the forest
Extend the forest reserve and replanting indigenous trees.
Present Situation
At present Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge pumps water to its north-west boundary from which point people collect. Recently the storage capacity has been sufficiently increased to serve that area.
Ngare Sero collaborates with the village government to physically protect the forest and water.
Ngare Sero also applies pressure to the relevant authorities in order to initiate the correct action for the protection of the forest reserve, water source and management of water extraction.
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge has purchased a steep portion of land surrounding and adjacent to the springs to extend the indigenous forest and to further protect the springs from erosion and pollution.
Beneficiaries
Nshupu Village, Nshupu Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as the forest, lake and its wild inhabitants.
Implementation
North-WestSide – Financed and constructed by Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge. Pumping by hydraulic rams utilizing the mill race at Ngare Sero and using existing pipelines to new temporary plastic storage tanks. Incollaboration with Earth Assistance Foundation, one large permanent water tank will be constructed.
North-Eastside – Construction of a new dam and water turbine pump and a new pipeline to a tank previously constructed at the health centre aboveJuakali and on to new tanks above the schools. The dam construction,pipeline, and hydro-turbine water pump is now complete for the north-east side.
Water Filtration – The Ngare Sero Trust is looking for funding to purchase two Ultra Violet filters that will sterilize all the water being pumped to the Nshupu village, the Nshupu clinic and the Nshupu primary and secondary schools.
Donations
Thanks to Ed & Debbie Williams from Florida for donating$10,000.
Thanks to Tom Leach for the turbine manufacture, Mike Leach for the dam design and engineering, Tim Leach for project management.
Thanks to YogaMala attendants for raising$1500 toward the purchase of a water pump.
Thanks to Graham & Sally Wickenden for donating $4000 used to pay for plumbing labour and to improve distribution points.
Financial help will be managed by the Ngare Sero Trust and is sincerely appreciated by Ngare Sero Lodge and Nshupu village. For More information please speak to Tim Leach or Mike Leach.
Future Projects
Re-forestation - Create a tree nursery on Ngare Sero land for alarge scale indigenous tree replanting project on the slopes of Mount Meru.
Coral Reef Eco-Project - Create a marine eco-camp that will manage and protect a coral reef for fisheries and tourism.