Bahir Dar, one of UNESCO awarded learning city in Africa, is attributable to its rich environment for every individual who strives to discover the world’s future and the enigma of nature.
It was in 2015 that the Organization picked the city as one of the twelve UNESCO learning cities of the world.
Learning cities, says the Organization, “effectively mobilizes its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education; revitalizes learning in families and communities; facilitates learning for and in the workplace; extends the use of modern learning technologies; enhances quality and excellence in learning; and fosters a culture of learning throughout life”.
Lying on a vast land in Amhara State, 565 Km from Addis Ababa, and the city takes its name after Lake Tana which makes the city livable and adorable. Due to this, and other several reasons, the city offers one of the best tourist destinations, of both domestic and foreign ones—tourism is, therefore, among the major activities for residents to earn a living.
Also, the city’s economic activ ity is characterized by urban agriculture and agricultural processing industries, horticulture manufacturing and service industries at multi-religious and multi-cultural settings.
Lake Tana
Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia is located adjacent to Bahir Dar. The lake comprises 37 islands with medieval and ancient monasteries. Dega Estifanos, Narga Selassie, Bete Selassie, Debre Mariam, Ura Kidane Mehret, Azewa Mariam, Kibran Gabriel, Tana Cherkos, Entos Eyesu, and Bete Giorgis are the most celebrated monasteries.
Agricultural activates, tourism and fishing are the most common economic activities in the islands. The lake is also known for its “intact species of large cyprinid fish in the world.”
Fishermen, yachtsman, and tourists are dominant busies the lake with traditional canoe and motor boats.
The lake also received recognition by UNESCO through its notable biosphere reserve including various species of fish, crocodile, hundreds of bird species, trees, hippopotamus and others.
To anybody’s disappo intment, water Hyacinth is covering the lake alarmingly. One of the young yachtsman told to Ethiopian press Agency that the local community has been doing everything at its disposal to get rid of the plant.
“I have been here since a decade ago; I consider the lake as the viaduct of life to the surrounding community. All stakeholders and nature lovers should cooperate to rid of the weed for good,” he said.
Gateway to Tis Abay
The world’s longest river, Nile, gets most of its water from Abbay of Ethiopia. It originates from north west of Ethiopia, at a spring named Gish Abbay. It is located around 150 kms form Bahir Dar. Tis Abbay, an impressive fall of Abbay River is also around 30 kms south east of Bahir Dar. This impressive fall named Tis Abbay, meaning Nile that smokes is so impressive particularly during the current rainy season.
The Ethiopian Herald August 9, 2019
BY YESUF ENDRIS
