Protection of Awassa Lake Through Sustainable Management of Surrounding Area in Ethiopia
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project implementor: Mendel University in Brno
Donor: Czech Development Cooperation
Implementation period: 2019-2022
BASELINE STATE
Lake Awasa is very biodiverse and is a source of food and income for many local people.However, the level of pollution affects the natural environment and the income of the inhabitants.Since the 1990s, the lake level has been gradually rising due to sedimentation of the lake bed and edges, while the amount of water in the lake has been decreasing and the lake is drying up. Pollution is also caused by the growth of industrial production and individual waste management. All this contributes to a reduction in fish populations and the biodiversity of aquatic fauna and flora, a reduction in the fertility and productivity of the surrounding soils and also negatively affects the recreational functions of the lake.
Districts in the Lake Awassa region are facing significant population growth and consequent demand for agricultural yields as well as high levels of poverty. This is negatively compounded by inappropriate agricultural practices, unsustainable land management, deforestation and uncontrolled grazing by livestock, resulting in soil degradation and progressive erosion (one of the biggest problems in the area). All these factors result in a range of negative environmental impacts.
PROJECT AIM AND DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS
The development objective of the project was to contribute to the improvement of the environment of Lake Awasa and its surroundings through the implementation of sustainable landscape management and the reduction of pollution and sedimentation of the lake.
ROLE OF HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS S.R.O. IN THE PROJECT
The HS team's main focus within the project was on planning, design work and coordination of the civil works for the construction of the Awasa Lake Protection Zone.
It also contributed to the participatory design of urban green space objects and implemented training of trainers.
Finally, it developed a study on the use of energy saving and efficient stoves and conducted a follow-up workshop on the construction of pilot stoves.