Project Inception Workshop on The Rehabilitation. of Hora-Arsedi Lake Catchment

Abstract

The Fookaa (now Kebele 15) has a long history and some of us have been here long enough to witness the unfolding of events. Therefore, I am indeed grateful to the Almighty for this ripe old age of seventy-nine to witness the revival of interest in our natural resources around the Hora Arsedi Lake. I am also happy to have been invited here and have the opportunity to make reflections hence share my views with such young people who might use the wisdom to the best advantage in the rehabilitation of the lake and its environs. For a start, I support the plan you have formulated to plant indigenous trees. You should, however, identify those which can withstand the degraded soil condition. More importantly, I hope that your efforts would be sustainable because we Ethiopians are often accused of initiating but not finalizing activities or schemes. I hope that you, the young generation, would have a better performance record than that has been the case in the past. As I am given the chance, I feel it would be proper to exploit the opportunity by relating the historical background of the lake and the catchment with your plan. To begin with, it was Negadras Tessema Eshete who started development works in Hora-Arsedi Lake. He had the vision of attracting tourists even before the Italian occupation i.e. prior to 1940! During the Italian occupation, Italians have highly used the lake to exploit the fish and for military training. Had they stayed longer, they also had plans to use it for tourist attraction. Ethiopian's dug very big ditches and canals which are still visible. Contrary to what might have been circulated, it is not the Italians but an agricultural development agent called Ato Mekonen who was instrumental in the establishment of the Hora Ras Hotel. At that time it was not as sophisticated as the current one, which shares the catchment and gets considerable income from tourists. After liberation, Ato Mekonen returned and started development work around the lake. Boiled seeds of Acacia species were sown directly in the hillside1. This was done to soften the seedcoat. Several tree species were also included in this endeavour. These have survived and the hillside is now rich in biodiversity. It may be difficult to imagine but during the time of Emperor Haile Selassie I, the lake was even protected from birds so that they may not pollute it!! Hence, they were provided with feed and water away from the lake. The Oromos were also very careful so as not to pollute the lake due to the respect they have for natural resources and because of the Ireechaa Ceremony. This place of worship is believed to cure diseases of both humans and livestock. Thus, no one was allowed to cut trees from the catchment or wash clothes at the lakeside. This was the extent of care that was accorded to the lake and the catchment several decades back! Now the hillside is highly degraded. We have destroyed the vegetation and many of the trees have been cut for our immediate uses. We have diverted dirty water into the lake and the lake is polluted with raw swage so much so that we no more dare drink or bath in its waters. Honestly, cattle are better than human. Cattle leave dung that ameliorates the soil, but we humans have only degraded the landscape. Therefore, the local population has to be protected by the local government. Conservation of the catchment by the public administration and all concerned would benefit primarily the local people and generally the nation.