BY GETACHEW MINAS
Studies reveal that Ethiopian parks are ideal ecological zones for wildlife conservation due to the variety and abundance of fauna and flora in the country. If properly managed, the parks can be museums for wild lives. These parks could also serve as a “green belt” in preventing the expansion of arid deserts from the neighboring countries. The ecological zones provide various cultural and natural attractions with high aesthetic values. Ethiopia has numerous impressive cultural and natural heritages which made her the first in Africa for having a high number of world heritage sites. Despite the fact that the country is richly endowed with various picturesque cultural and natural heritage properties, it is one of the “least” beneficiaries of the burgeoning tourism industry in Africa.
Specialists in the field of hospitality, tourism and leisure identified Ethiopia as a center of tourist attraction. The country has national parks, controlled hunting areas, environmental reserves, national forest areas, wildlife sanctuaries and many other commercial ranches, botanical gardens, and community conservation areas. It is also noted that protected areas in Ethiopia are endowed with unique wildlife. It has marvelous topographic land features with accompanying cultural manifestations that are compatible for wildlife conservation and tourism. This in return helps keep the functioning and healthy ecosystems which are essential for sustainable development. It provides the services that the future generations depend on for life.
As Nielsen advises, wildlife considerations have to be integrated into any “poverty reduction” strategy. As a result, wildlife protection is being addressed and it increasingly receives global attention. Ethiopia has a tremendous but partially untapped tourism potential including unique natural topographic beauty and biodiversity. These are profoundly the pillars for ecotourism development and wildlife conservation. The loss of these resources could negatively affect community based eco-tourism.
The expected result could not yet be achieved due to the difficulties of implementing community based ecotourism and wildlife conservation strategy. Ethiopia has national parks of great economic and environmental importance, yet continually faces the threat of deforestation and loss of wildlife. These resulted from the expansion of agriculture, grazing land encroachment, illegal hunting and fishing. According to the Stern Report, natural catastrophes like global warming, epidemic disease, and severe drought all represent increases in global extinction rates. Wildlife in many national parks of Ethiopia is also increasingly under threat from irresponsible human encroachment.
People residing near and around the national parks pursue lifestyles that are destructive to natural habitats. They engage in poaching rare animals for consumption. Their style of subsistence leads to the degradation of habitats; they engage in deforestation for cutting trees to build houses and for cooking, and other activities. M. Tefera revealed that human encroachment and incompatible land uses and uncontrolled fire create ever increasing human-wildlife conflicts. In a situation where wildlife-induced damage to human property such as crops and domestic animals are neither controlled nor compensated. Consequently, negative local attitudes develop towards natural conservation and wildlife resources.
The Ethiopian national parks cover large areas of woodlands. The landscapes are relatively flat with a few hills, and the soil is mainly composed of sand and gravel. These parks have terrains that obstruct the penetration of water deep into the soil. These areas provide suitable habitat for “seasonal” wetlands, which are in turn attractive surroundings for birds and other wildlife species. These parks have great significance not only for wildlife varieties, but also for recreational and economic values. They also have international significance in combating desertification. They serve as sanctuaries of diverse plants and animals, which could attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
The main threats for the survival of wild life in the parks have been ignored for a long time. These threats are dangerous for the survival of wild lives in Ethiopia. The sooner the proactive and protective actions are taken the better. Legal provisions to protect these wild lives are only first steps. Implementation of laws, rules and regulations with the relevant implementation strategy and mechanisms are of the essence. These measures should address the dangers identified through research. Specialists in the field have identified several susceptibilities and vulnerabilities faced by wild lives. As wild animals they use their senses and tastes to identify their surroundings and habitat.
Some of the threats, menaces and hazards to wild lives in Ethiopia are caused by human invasion of the environs of the wild games. These invaders are foreign and local nomads, followed by fishermen. Settlement programs also create environmental destruction in the “new settlement” areas as landless people farm the reserve land, cut trees for cooking and for housing construction. Also, during dry seasons the wildlife face shortage of water due to water-stress. Agricultural expansion towards the parks leads to the endangering of wild lives, which migrate to other areas for safety. The “greatest danger” of all is lack of awareness about the value and importance of wildlife in the Ethiopian culture and economy.
Dangerous factors that devastate wildlife resources are fire and hunting. Fire is generally caused by honey collectors who seek to dislodge bees with fire. Once a fire is raging, it is difficult to extinguish manually since there are no modern fire extinguishers in the area. Hunters also destroy parks, as they trap rodents and large mammals. Some people engage in accidental hunting, as they enter the parks to collect wood, gum, incense and honey. They hunt animals for pleasure or for prestige, depending on their status in the community. They hunt and kill leopard or lions or elephants only for fame, and wear their skins or tusks as ornaments. It is reported that traditional hunters have no knowledge or information about illegal hunting in the parks.
Research findings ascertained that a problem for sustainable livelihood is consistent with local nomadic life which is mainly dependent on natural resources. They also practice hunting for consumption and for sale of products such as ivory, ostrich eggs, and skins and horns of animals with high prices. Hunting also caused conflicts of interest over resource utilization between communities. Communities clash over groundwater and ponds near the parks as they need them for themselves and for their cattle. But, these waters are usually poisoned by fishermen who use poisonous chemicals, which destroy aquatic mammals. Severe droughts result in intermittent, sporadic and irregular flow of rivers.
The changing environment causes migration of birds and mammals to different locations within and outside Ethiopia. Those animals that did not migrate such as apes, monkeys, warthogs are bound to damage crops. These animals, including the domestic ones, are also hunted by leopards, lions, hyenas, and crocodiles. Of all the factors that created havoc to the habitat of wild and tame animals are the activities of human beings. People have to clear the forest for a variety of economic and social activities. To mitigate human instigated threats to wild and domestic animals, there is an urgent need for formal intervention to address biodiversity conservation at all levels of society.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JANUARY 15/2021
