Heavy rain drops in the Rift Valley Lakes Basin of Ethiopia have hampered development and harming Lake Hawasa and other 7 lakes with substantial decrease of their depth due to siltation created as a result of erosion. The problems of the Rift Valley Lakes of Ethiopia is not only siltation but also pollution due to chemicals use by farmers along the lakes. The Rift Valley Lakes Basin Authority under the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy is working hard to change scenario and massive work is going on to reduce the very problems risking the lives of these 8 lakes, namely, Hawasa, Ziway, Shala, Langano, Chamo, Abijata, Abaya, and Chew Bahir. My colleges, EBCs reporter Fekadeab Alemayehu and I visited the area last week and talked to Hawasa Town Natural Resource Bureau Head and Experts working with the people in development activities such as gabion works in Shala woreda and Shashemene woreda of Oromia region. These two woredas are the nearest to Lake Hawasa and the town. Both Shashemene and Shala woreda had to do their jobs to protect Lake Hawasa from becoming dry and polluted. Therefore, they did best jobs on the ground. And some progresses are being observed on the Lake. Similarly, Lake Ziway is also another highly risked lakes of Ethiopia. So far, it is one of the most highly used lakes and it is being feared that it will dry like Lake Haromaya. But still, hopes are not fading. The Oromia regional state is doing its best in coordination with the town administration. We have talked to people also. And told us that the environmental safety, and watershed management activities have changed the the previous problems for good. Farmlands are now providing them yield and the lakes are cleared from siltation and pollution. We managed to see Lake Hawasa piles up enough water than any other lakes in the rift valley. This is resulted from a coordinated work between Oromia regional state woredas and Sidama Zone, more specifically Hawasa Town administration and technical supports from the federal government, i.e Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy. A lot has to be done however to bring the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes to their normal water depth and size. In this regard, the Rift Valley Lakes Basin Authority is legally established under proclamation number 243/2003 E.C. And the Authority is putting huge efforts like other Basin Authorities such as Abay Basin Authority and Awash Basin Authority. Under the Rift Valley Lakes Basin Authority, there are two regional states Oromia and SNNP. And 21 woredas have been incorporated and water and soil conservation work is undergoing on 8 lakes located in the two regions. This is the news aired through the EBC on Sunday at 1:00 PM day news time read by Fekadeab Alemayehu. If you have missed the news, you may have it now and watch. Free to comment also.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 07:17:32 +0000
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