Ethiopia has myriads of lakes and rivers with significant ecosystem services and biodiversity contribution. Rift valley lakes which are found in central Ethiopia are the most common lakes that have been contributing a lot to the country’s economic development and are of paramount importance in revamping local people wellbeing.
Though the valley comprises lakes such as Abbaya, Chamo, Shala, Dembel, Langano, Abiata and Hawassa, this article predominantly focuses on Abijata Shala Lake, which is encircled by Abijatta Shala Lakes National Park (ASLNP) founded in 1970 for the purpose of conservation of aquatic bird life, the lakes and the surrounding Acacia woodland. The park is located at 7° 30’ N; 38° 30’ in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, some 200km away from south of Addis Ababa.
Abijatta Shala Lakes National Park covers an area of about 887 km2 of which 405 km2 island and 482 km2 is water body and its area is one of the most scenically proved beautiful spots of Ethiopia, possessing blue lakes fringed with flat-topped Acacia trees and endowed with a spectacular wealth of bird life.
As to the information obtained from the park’s office, the major fascinating faunas in the park are the great numbers of bird species that reside in the lakes. While Lake Shala is serving as a breeding site, Lake Abijatta is serving as feeding site for the bird life. Up to now, about 436 bird species have been recorded of which 129 species are wetland birds. Among the wetland birds, 58 species are local birds, 54 species are Northern migrant, 9 species are African migrant, 5 species are northern African migrant, 2 other migrants and 1 endemic species.
As to the source, there are 76 mammals and different species of animals in the park like Golden Jackals, Oribi, Warthog, Sild ass, Grant’s gazelles, Lions, Giraffes, Zebra and Walia.
The Rift Valley Lakes nature of attraction for tourists has been quite immense mainly due to the birdlife and scenic beauty. Moreover, its accessibility and the presence of highway through the park for outreach of visitors is the interesting aspect which encourages tourists, indeed. There are beautiful camping and picnic sites. As a result of these, the park is one of the viable nature reserve areas where a number of visitors are increasing from year to year and with enormous income secured from tourist visiting fee.
Banki Budamo, Park Head, said that the park and its area have been under degradation due to factors like shifting cultivation, ranching and nomadic pastoralism practiced around the area for a lot of years.
But currently, a lot of activities have been undertaken to protect and well take care of the park through rejuvenating the community participation. As to him, the community residing at the vicinity of the park in collaboration with the park’s staff as well as with different local social organizations like Idir and Mahber are contributing a lot to the development and conservation of the park.
Furthermore, the community has been committed and diligent to further beef up the protection and conservation of the park. The staff in turn has consolidated bond with the community in a formal and legal ways to enhance the enrichment of the park.
He stated that the staff created a job opportunities for a number of unemployed citizens through organizing them in small and micro enterprises. Creating job opportunities in the park has double advantage: it is reducing unemployment on the one hand and it is helpful in making the area conducive for tourists on the other because such unemployed people organized in different ways can have ample opportunity to provide tourists with an efficient service.
The Ethiopian Herald July 29, 2020
BY TAMERU REGASA
