- Redwan Mohammed leads a project to restore Ethiopia’s Ziway-Shalla river basin, which is under pressure due to deforestation and erosion.
- Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park lies at the basin’s heart, centered on a pair of saline lakes that provide vital habitat to migratory waterbirds.
- The river basin is also home to around 60,000 farmers and herders as well as commercial flower farms and other light industry.
- Mohammed’s employer, Wetlands International, focuses on protecting wetlands because they provide essential ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat for wildlife.
Ethiopia’s Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park is set in a semiarid landscape of grassy plains, hills scattered with acacia trees, and ravines cut by seasonal streams. Spanning 887 square kilometers (342 square miles) and located some 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa, it includes the two Rift Valley lakes it’s named after.
Abijatta and Shalla are a pair of connected saline lakes that provide habitat for waterbirds including black-winged stilts, storks, pelicans, and lesser and greater flamingos. Ostriches, African fish eagles and various plover species are year-round residents, while others migrate to Europe and Asia during the warmer months there, returning when northern winter sets in. The forests and grasslands surrounding the lake are home to ungulates like greater kudu and Grant’s gazelle, and small predators like jackals and bat-eared foxes.
The landscape is also home to 60,000 people who make their living farming and herding more than 300,000 head of livestock; as well as light industry including soda ash production and commercial flowers for export.
Redwan Mohammed was born and raised in the region. He’s now a senior staff member with Wetlands International Ethiopia, leading a project focused on restoring the Ziway-Shalla Basin. He tells Mongabay that deforestation and erosion linked to farming and herding in the Aris and Gurage mountains where the rivers that feed the basin’s lakes rise present a significant threat to the ecosystem.
Smallholder farmers and commercial farms growing flowers for export also pump water out of Lake Ziway for irrigation, reducing water available to the lakes further downstream. Lake Abijata is experiencing rapidly declining water levels as a newly established soda ash extraction plant is drawing water from the lake. The surrounding hillsides have lost forest cover, leading to further erosion.
Mohammed spoke to Mongabay in May. The following interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Mongabay: Why the focus on wetlands?
Redwan Mohammed: Wetlands are important biodiversity hotspots which are critical for the survival of various animal and plant species and millions of people in the surrounding community. Protecting wetlands is important because they provide essential ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat for wildlife.
They also act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change. Wetlands are highly productive and diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of plant and animal species. By preserving wetlands, we can help maintain biodiversity, protect water quality, and ensure the continued health of our planet.
The main reason that Wetlands International is focusing on the Central Rift Valley is because of its important biodiversity. Ziway-Shalla is a closed water basin, located in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia, the country’s most important wetland area. It is a place where four lakes called Ziway, Abijata, Shalla and Langano are found. These lakes have significant benefits; they are the most important biodiversity areas for the region. The region is rich in various birds, animals and aquatic life.
In addition, millions of people also directly depend on the waters and natural resources in this basin, which though time increases burdens on the [region]. This is also one of the reasons which make us focus on the intervention.
Mongabay: What are the threats to the Abijata-Shalla landscape’s integrity? And who is behind them?
Redwan Mohammed: Shalla local communities use Lake Ziway’s freshwaters for domestic use and to irrigate their smallholding farms [with more than 6,000 water pumps], and other foreign-owned commercial flower farms suck large amounts of water from the river. These human activities have reduced water flow from Lake Ziway to Lake Abijata via the Bulbula River, posing a serious threat to the natural water system of the sub-basin.
In addition, Lake Abijata has unfortunately been experiencing a rapid decline in water levels because of the soda ash extraction plant that’s been taking water directly from the lake. On top of that, the surrounding forest has been depleted, leading to soil erosion and sediment buildup in the lake.
The increase in population inside and around the park has led to various human activities that are really harming the environment. From animal grazing and farming to cutting trees for wood fuel and charcoal, these activities have contributed to the degradation of the park and a reduction in water levels in Lake Abijata.
This is a real concern because this national park is the only protected area specifically for birds [in Ethiopia], providing a home for 108 migratory waterbird species. It’s globally important for bird conservation. But with increased water usage in the feeding rivers and lakes, as well as changes in land use and cover around the lake, we’re seeing the water level decrease and the water becoming more saline. This is a threat to the birds and animals that call the park home.
So it’s important that we address these issues to protect the biodiversity of the park.
Mongabay: What is Wetlands International doing in response to these threats?
Redwan Mohammed: Understanding the interconnected nature of the region’s water bodies is crucial in addressing the problem. Working on a specific site or lake alone will not solve the problem, as the entire basin system is impacted. Therefore, our approach is designed to encompass the entire landscape.
We focus on the water sources in the highlands, the tributary rivers, the farm areas near the lakes, and the lakes themselves. By working with farmers in water source areas, we promote the use of natural fertilizers and sustainable farming practices. We educate farmers on proper irrigation techniques and provide support through inputs for sustainable farming. Additionally, we collaborate closely with local agricultural offices to ensure the success of our initiatives.
As the population in the surrounding areas of the park continues to grow over time, there has been an increased demand for land for agriculture in and surrounding areas of the park. This has led to a decline in productivity and a shortage of farmland, prompting more people to turn to unsustainable practices such as tree cutting for charcoal, firewood and sand production as a source of income. In order to address this issue, we have been working closely with local government authorities to implement an awareness campaign. This campaign will involve engaging in various consultations with community members to foster a common understanding of the problem, the detrimental effects of human activities, particularly deforestation, on the park.
Our goal is to instill a sense of ownership and responsibility in the community, mobilizing them to become advocates for change. By actively involving community members in a restoration program, we empower them to take action and protect the park for future generations.
We then mobilize and collaborate with former charcoal producers to address deforestation. Instead of just telling them to stop cutting trees and using resources unsustainably, we offer solutions that address their livelihood needs. We create opportunities for them to participate in restoration efforts and provide sustainable alternative sources of income, as well as the opportunity to build assets collectively.
Currently, there are eight associations with a total of 2,500 youth members actively engaged in soil and water conservation activities. We have designated 3,000 hectares [7,400 acres] of land as off-limits to human and animal activities, implementing techniques such as terracing to prevent erosion. We incentivize individual members for their conservation efforts and help them establish savings groups.
With these savings and additional funding, they have purchased livestock and started a fattening business through their associations. We provide technical support on business management, market connections and feed preparation. As a result, they are now able to generate income from selling their products.
Small steps towards larger goal of protecting East African wetlands
Banner image: Redwan Mohammed speaking to local residents near Lake Shalla Image by Solomon Yimer for Mongabay.
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