Ethiopia is a country bestowed with natural, historical and cultural attractions. If you go from one end to the other, the diversity of the people looking here and there mesmerizes you. In short, the country is a living ethnographic museum and is the right place for those who want to specialize in that. In today’s short piece, we will visit the South West Region of Ethiopia, a home for 13 nationals who have lived in harmony for centuries.
Here in the state, the diversity of the people creates a captivating scene. The lifestyle, dressing style, dancing and chanting, cultural food and drinks, and other untold cultural activities of these nations’ nationalities and peoples are also considered tourism attractions.
On the other hand, plenty of wildlife and natural resources are available in the state, which is filled with dense forest. Wherever you throw your eyes, by default they fall into the green area. Of the various types of natural attractions, caves, waterfalls and both natural and manmade lakes give the place a majestic look. Kefa and Sheka, the two biosphere reserves registered on the UNESCO list, are found in the state.
In addition to this, the state is known for its two giant national parks, Chebera Churchura and Omo National Parks. Chebera Churchura is the place where many wildlife species exist, such as African elephants, buffalo, endemic birds, and plant species. African elephants are rarely found on the African continent, but one can see more than 1000 elephants situated in the park. Some studies indicated that 2/3 of this kind of African elephant is only found in Ethiopia, which makes the park unique.
The perennial lakes in the park have also made it home to a number of wild animals. Within Chebera Churchura Park, there are six small lakes. One of the lakes is known for its endemic fish, called Gara Chebera. The park is found between the Dawro and Konta zones, and these resources created a strong bond between the two nationals. Indeed, parks are a national treasure, not only given to nations or nationals. At the grass-roots level, it is the people who contribute to the protection of the park, but it is a national resource. If it is developed well, it will be the wealth of the international community.
The park was established in 2004/2005 at the request of the Konta and Dawuro people. The park covers an area of 1410 km2. It is 13 km away from Amaya City, so it is convenient for tourists. The park is located 454 km away from Addis Ababa.
Recently, a crew of journalists visited this Evergreen Park. As part of the Dine for Nation project, the Koysha project, which includes the Cebera Churchura Park, is now attracting the interest of local and internal investors. Considering the absence of a hospitality industry in the area, they are now engaging in various tourism facilities.
The people of Konta have aspired to benefit from the Koysha projects, which were undertaken at the initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Lieutenant Haile Tadese is working as a security guard in Chebera Churchura Park. Previously, he was a member of the Ethiopian Defense Forces. He sustained physical injury while fighting in one of the battlefields. After recovering from injury, he returned to his village and is working as a security guard at Chebera Churchura Park with a monthly salary of 4000 brr. But the salary he presently earns is not enough to make a living. He hoped that his income would increase as the number of tourists’ inflows increased due to the development of new tourist facilities in the park.
Edeno Betla is the coordinator of the scouts at Chebera Churchura Park. It has been 16 years since he was employed as a forest and animal protection worker. He said, “We protect many plants and wild animals in the park from illegal hunters and infiltrators. The presence of wildlife has an immense contribution to the sustainability of the park, which he assumed would bring incalculable benefits for us and the country’s economy.”
Among the tourist destinations visited by media professionals, infrastructure development activities, including roads, bridges, lodges, and others that were assumed to extend tourist stays, are now being constructed.
Upon completion, the Koysha projects would create a number of job opportunities for areas with potential tourism resources, such as Chebera Churchura, to stand out and be developed. This has created job opportunities for many youths and other sections of society, according to the State Minister for Government Communication, Service Ministry, Selamawit Kassa.
Selamawit said that the tourism infrastructure being built by both private and government entities in Chebera Churcura Park will contribute greatly to the development of the sector. The tourism infrastructure being built in Koysha will greatly contribute to the development of the sector.
Nega Abera is administrator of Konta Zone. He said that since the last few years, there have been activities to stimulate the tourism sector in the zone. Although the zone is bestowed with natural and man-made heritage, it has been deprived of attention in the past years, so the people have not been able to benefit from the sector. He said that there was no tourist aspect before, and now the community has hope as the area has been embraced for the national project as planned by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
The zone chef, who stated that the area was not visited by media experts, added that the visit will be of great benefit to the area in stimulating local visitors and showing the potential of the area.
He explained that the zone is the owner of various tangible and intangible heritages, and this area, which is one of the projects for the country, entails that it is possible to convert the natural resources into development.
Citing the research conducted so far, he said there are more than 40 large and medium-sized wild animals in the park, except for rhinoceros, African elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, lion, endemic species of birds and fish, hot springs, waterfalls, caves, and other natural resources
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2023
