Nairobi, Feb. 24 -- Our journey through the expansive Aberdare National Park laid bare the threats the ecosystem faces following State plans to construct a road through the reserve.

The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), which had initially rejected building of the Ihite-Ndunyu Njeru road spanning the fragile ecosystem, has since changed tune saying it will boost tourism and spur economic growth.

"Analysis of route alternatives established that the proposed road is the most cost-effective route to connect Ndunyu Njeru in Nyandarua county to Ihite in Nyeri county by cutting the travel time by more than one hour and 30 minutes over the other available alternatives," Nema said in a brief.

The environmental watchdog said t...