World Environment Day Lake Wenchi wakes up to Dr. Girma’s call Woliso: 3380 meters above the sea level, defying the contradicting cold winds and scorching sunlight, about one thousand people, chiefly members of farmer families settled along the mountains covering famous volcanic Lake Wenchi took a strong pledge to save the lake from its dying state of today. They took a strong resolve to do whatever possible for saving the water body from further degradation due to soil erosion and sedimentation. At a function held on the World Environment Day (Yesterday, 05 June), in a display of their solidarity for salvaging the lake, they gathered on its upper bank and joined their hands forming a ‘Love Link for Lake Wenchi’. Raising their joined hands upward they pledged that from then they would love and respect their environment, too. The programme was organized by Micro Business College (MBC), a major player in higher education in Ethiopia providing education for the poor along highland towns of Ambo, Woliso, Gedo and Meda Kegne. Wenchi Woreda Administration provided local support. A host of dignitaries including the former President of the country, Dr. Girma Wolde Giorgis was witness to the event. Dr. Girma whose unblemished environmental concerns are familiar for the nation, made a rousing speech. “Lake Wenchi is our home. Remember that we have no peace and prosperity without the wellbeing of the lake”, Dr. Girma added. He poignantly called the village community to join in the efforts of scientific measures for mitigating the threat of soil erosion that has been degrading the lake since long. Earlier, the 89-year-old leader traversed an arduous mountain trail to reach the venue. When he, on wheelchair, alighted from an omnibus, children and the old alike jostled to touch his feet and get his hands. A traditional farmer cavalry on horseback piloted Dr. Girma’s convoy gesturing the native way of royal welcoming. 4 million saplings President of the MBC, Mr. Abera Tilahun declared that the college would plant a record number of 4 million seedlings along the Wenchi mountains in the coming days. “We want the lake to live long and provide health and wealth for many upcoming generations. We also want the current generation to contribute for the posterity of the lake” he said. The college would induct new courses to enable student community to act as practitioners of environmental conservation as well as contributors of social development, he added. During an interactive session, representatives from the farmer community expressed their concerns and views on the issue. A woman farmer Dissatu Ijjeta shared the dilemma they faced in procuring firewood and preserving trees. “We need support from organizations in finding out a sustainable way of dealing with our daily needs and protection of the natural resources”, she said. Dessalegn, an 83-year-old farmer said he was led to agriculture since his childhood. “We are born on the lake waters. Lake is our life” he said sentimentally. He avowed that the level of lake water has been declining during recent years. Earlier, the college’s Dean, Mr. Dereje Bekele made a lucid description of conservation mechanism required for the lake Wenchi. Woreda Administrator Legesse Ayyansa and Zonal Administrator’s representative Asefa Bojja spoke. The programme was already listed as a featured event for the World Environment Day, on the official website of the United Nations’ Environment Programme. See more photos at: https://facebook/media/set/?set=a.1421151844835623.1073741829.1405801623037312&type=1
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:58:11 +0000