Eco-tourism in Ethiopia

Map Guide of the Ethiopian Central and Southern Rift Valley

Ethiopia has abundant and amazing natural resources and tourism potential, yet maps in Ethiopia are very rare. Touristic maps even more so. But this month the first full-colour eco-tourism MapGuide of the Central and Southern Ethiopian Rift Valley is being published! A joint effort of National Geographic, ESTA (the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Alliance) and HoA-REC, financially supported by US-AID and the Dutch Ministry for Economy, Agriculture and Innovation. The first of its kind in East Africa – and only second in Africa – the map is a colourful guide through the Ethiopian part of Africa’s biggest fracture, starting at the Red Sea and ending in Mozambique. 

The Map Guide shows the geographical area known as the Rift Valley, starting approximately a hundred kilometer south of Addis. It persuades you to undertake horseback riding in the Lepis Forest, or to go swimming in Lake Langano, or to follow the legendary trip of the Arc of the Covenant on the Island of Tulu Gudo in Lake Ziway. It introduces you to the indigenous people living in the Rift Valley: the Mursi, the Konso, the Hamer and more. And birdwatchers, pay attention: in the Central Rift Valley, you’ll find sixteen Ethiopian endemic birds, amongst many colourful others!

After the official launching of the MapGuide mid December, it will be distributed through Bookworld, as well as other channels such as tour operators. The communities around the various community conservation areas featured in the MapGuide have been prepared and trained to welcome guests. Local guides will proudly show their areas, and handycrafts are being made for sale. Let’s hope that the magic of the map works and that the communities will benefit from tourism!

Tulu Gudo

Next year you will be able to take the boat to the island Tulu Gudo in Lake Ziway and do a walking trail up the mountain. Youpay a visit to the former home of the Arc of the Covenant, have a break in the restaurant near the monastery and eat a fresh grilled fish from the lake. Rian, Debberah and Jasmina from HoA-REC were very lucky to experience the tryout of the trail in November. Together with Asamenew Shimeles from the ESTA branche office in Ziway and Bob Sturtevant (a Peace  Corps Volunteer at the Wondogenet College of Forestry and Natural Resources), they found their path through fields, making their way uphill, enjoying stunning views of the island's bays and its neatly terraced  cultivated fields, in search of a suitable hiking route and facilities. 

Jasmina van Driel, programme manager for HoA-REC’s Central Rift Valley Programme is very proud: “I have been working in the Rift Valley for three years now and it really makes me happy to see the development of the area and communities. It is time to reveal the beauty of the Central Rift Valley!”  As of spring 2012, the island will be ready to receive its first guests.

Lepis Forest

ESTA and its local partners (EWNHS, SEDA, ANCEDA, RCWDO) are moving forward with her eco-tourism projects: the Lepis Forest and campsite will definitely enchant her visitors! Ancient trees of more than two meters thick, beautiful birds and the black and white Colobus monkeys will guide you during a three hours hike (or horse ride) towards the campsite next to the crystal clear river. Local people will grill your corn cobs in the fire, while stars twinkle above you.

Staying the night in Lepis means going back to nature; no fancy hotel, no 4 wheel drive. This is ecological and sustainable camping, leaving no traces of your temporary presence. You’ll just enjoy the natural resources and return completely inspired and at peace, back to your ‘regular life. The Lepis community will welcome you, also from spring next year.

Gardening for Life

A piece of land only measuring 300 m2, a well, vegetable seeds, some fruit trees and some necessary tools is good for a monthly income of 4000 ETB. In Ziway and surroundings, over 500 households make a living out of Backyard Gardening, an innovative project initiated by SEDA (Sustainable Environmental Development Action), based in Addis with a branch office in the Central Rift Valley.  

SEDA lobbies with the government for pieces of land for families that don’t have a stable income. In the last two years, they succeeded in convincing the local authorities to give some land to some of the poorest families of Ziway, capital of the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha Woreda (district). Now, many families grow seedlings on their land and sell it to bigger farms and corporation when they are ready for re-planting. Five to six times per year they repeat the growing cycle from seed to seedlings. 

On a sunny morning in November, HoA-REC/N employees, including the deputy director Abdirahman Ahmed, visit some backyard gardens in Ziway. Ato Kadhir Abshiro and his family are welcoming us warmly. Carrots, union and cabbage are currently growing on the small vegetable beds. There is papaya hanging in the trees and sugar cane is found at the back of the garden. The water comes from wells that have been dug - fourteen meter deep - and are being controlled by hand. 

141 persons in total are benefitting from the area of back yard gardens (this one is called ‘Abene Germama’), and they are very proud and happy to show people around. Together they form a ‘corporation’, which they chair and organize themselves. The neighbor, Badria, is growing false banana, cabbage, hot chili peppers and unions. “I used to work in a big factory for 10 Birr per day, now I make on average 200-300 Birr per day, I am very happy!” She is also the deputy chair of the corporation. Badria is a strong woman and her two kids are smiling.

The project exists for three years now. SEDA provides the seeds, tools and the training. The system is based on sharing: they pass on knowledge, the gardening tools, and the finances. For example, the digging and consolidation of the well costs 2000 ETB. A family invests 1000 ETB (mostly as a loan to be repaid within a year) and SEDA pays the other 1000. When the debt has been paid, then SEDA is able to re-loan this 1000 Birr to the neighbors. Abidrahman Ahmed: “This is a living example of empowering people; it makes them autonomous and responsible. We are impressed with the work of SEDA and we look forward on strengthening their work in the future”

More information

HoA-REN Member Million Belay Nominated for Prestgious Forestry Award

Addis Ababa - December 27, 2011 -

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) recently nominated Horn of Africa Regional Environment Network member Million Belay of Movement for Ecological Learning and Community Action (MELCA) Mahabir as one of its finalists from Africa for the International Forest Heroes Award of 2011. The award, launched as part of the UNFF's International Year of Forests 2011 activities, recognizes individuals who have dedicated their lives to nurturing forest resources. The announcement was made during the Forest Day at the Climate Change negotiations convened in Durban, South Africa.

By his nomination Mr. Belay, was recognized for his over two decades of activism in relation to conservation of existing forest and reforestation of deforested areas in Ethiopia; his nomination was solidified with his active engagement in the afforestation of Entoto, a hillside location on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. His activism in synergizing culture and biodiversity conservation boosted his nomination, according to the official announcement. MELCA Mahiber was established in Ethiopia as a non-profit organization in 2004 with a vision of seeing bio-cultural diversity conserved for healthy ecosystem and sustainable life.

Three finalists from every region are in the running for one prestigious award in each region. Mr. Belay is one of the three finalists from Africa. One of the three finalists, Mpathelene Makulele of South Africa, is also a member of the African Biodiversity Network, in which MELCA-Ethiopia is a member organization.

According to UNFF, some of his activities in relation to forest and forest biodiversity include:

• Coordinating the planting of more than 137,000 indigenous tree seedlings on the hills of Entoto,
• Starting a program called cultural biodiversity in Ethiopia and in seven African countries where children and youth plant trees, learn about the cultural significance of biodiversity and advocate for their protection,
• Coordinating the advocacy and conservation of forests in Ethiopia, notably the Sheka forest.

A total of 90 nominations from 41 countries were submitted. The regional breakdown: Asia (24); Africa (20); Latin America and the Caribbean (18); Europe (15) and North America (13). The range of experience for each hero varies, with some having life‐long experience with forests, including an 84­ year old, and 15 and 16 year olds, who are just starting out. The impact of some of the heroes is far reaching, with their projects being duplicated on national and global levels.

Winners will be announced and awarded at the Forests 2011 closing ceremony at the United Nations in New York in January 2012.

Sources: UNFF and Ethiopian Forest Forum

Rescue Abijata Shalla Lakes National Park!

Abijata Shalla Lakes National Park, approximately 887 km2, once famous for its aquatic bird diversity, its two alkaline lakes, hot springs, plentiful fish stocks in both lakes, is degrading dramatically. The water level has declined due to various factors mainly the soda ash factory and increased irrigation upstream. The rivers Bulbula, Gogessa and Hora Kelo end in Lake Abijata. However, the heavy use of water upstream along Bulbula and Hora Kelo results in a low supply of fresh water from outside the park. The shores of Abijata are retreating, leaving stripped plains of sand behind. Other challenges that Abijata Shalla is facing, are overgrazing and deforestation. Almost 30,000 people are living in this National Park and they all depend on its wood resources for fuel wood and charcoal production, livestock rearing and subsistence agriculture. But the grass is gone and the soil is exhausted. The communities have no other source of income. And that’s not all, every day 80 tracks of sand were - until recently - being transported from the park to surrounding cities for construction. This left many acacia trees unintentionally uprooted and fallen.  

Not a bright story about a National Park... A team of HoA-REC staff, Ato Dekebo Dale from ANCEDA  (Arsi-Negele Nature Conservation and Environmental Development Association based in Arsi Negele, close to the park ), and Ato Adem Mohammed, the park warden of EWCA (Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, responsible for the management of national parks), visit  the area on Thursday, November 24th. They are sharing their concerns, but by talking about it, they also get inspired to fight this sadning development. “These people need to learn how to adapt to climate change. If they can diversify their livelihood, besides agriculture and livestock, that would spread their chances,” says Ato Dekebo. 

Environmental expert Debberah ten Velthuis from the Netherlands, currently working for HoA-REC, is teaming up with Dr. Almaz from HoA-REC and Ato Dekebo to study the feasibility of agro-forestry and tree plantations right outside the park. It could be nursed by the communities. The fruit can provide extra income and ingredients could be sold for cosmetic purposes. And besides, Abijata Shalla has great potential for Eco-tourism, adds Ato Adem, whose eyes are starting to sparkle: “Some early investors in tourism, who have fled the area, are actually showing their willingness to come back and re-invest when the park is rehabilitated.”

Ato Dekebo and Ato Adem shake hands: “ANCEDA will support future developments as much as possible,” promises Ato Dekebo. “With the support and knowledge of HoA-REC we’ll do our utmost to turn things around.” This story might not end as sad as it started…! Everyone who is interested to rescue Abijata Shalla Lakes National Park is welcome to hop on board! 

More information

ANCEDA: Mr. Dekebo Dale, Director, (+251)(0)46 11 62 397 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sustainable Cooking With PISDA

Imagine a life without gathering fuel wood in the forest. No daily walking tour to carry the heavy burden back home. No lifetime of cooking above a charcoal fire. It would mean that women can do other things, it is so much healthier and children could go to school instead of collecting wood.

PISDA (Partnership for Integrated Sustainable Development Association) is working on it! In Debre Zeit the organization established a factory that is providing a package of five sustainable cooking systems. And not just that, they train people how to use and produce it themselves, and they keep in touch with the communities to monitor future use. The package costs 650 ETB, the users pays 30% and institutional donors pay 70%. Very committed members, who believed that the best way to fight poverty was to work on the sustainability of life, founded PISDA in 1998. Ten years later, in 2008, PISDA joined the Ethiopian chapter of Horn of Africa Regional Environment Network (HoAREC/N). Chief director Ato Gullilat Aberra: “We try to bring sustainable solutions closer to the people, to make them less dependent on biomass. We believe that our mix of cooking systems offer a good solution for all the kitchen work; activities that are determined for so many women.” 

Cook it all…

Main product is the solar cookit, produced in the house: a card board and aluminum foil glued together, a black painted pot and a plastic back. That’s all it takes to cook a meal. And sunshine! And since Ethiopia doesn’t lack sufficient hours of sun, this is an ideal system to cook sustainably. During the Rainy season, families can use the Rocket stove, which uses five times less wood than the regular three-stones fire cooker or a normal firewood stove. For baking injera the package contains a Mirte Stove, an almost closed burning system that saves fuel as well uses three times less wood than the regular Injera stove. Another material included within the package is the Hay basket, that is filled with cotton and hay, to keep the cooked food warmer, useful for the farmers who have to travel long distance or for a family that cannot afford to have more than one solar cookit. And finally, the package contains also a water pasteurization indicator or WAPI. It is a brilliant system of bic-pens and powdered wax to create a thermometer, which indicates when the water has reached the right temperature. 

Challenge

Mainly women work in the factory; it is a business from women, for women. Empowerment and sustainability in one process! The factory faces one challenge however. To guarantee future production and the spreading of the sustainable systems, PISDA needs institutional donors or even better: local businesses that will invest in the ‘70%’. This is where the HoA-REC Network can be of use; linking interested parties to enhance the production. So spread the word, let’s make this sustainable cooking profitable!

More information

PISDA: Mr. Gullilat Aberra, Executive Director, (+251)(0)911 74 25 37 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.