Local ecological knowledge and wetland management in the Ethiopian Rift Valley

Abstract

Freshwater systems are productive environments and vital for the livelihood of local people. The provision of goods and services is, however, related to their functionality and sustainability. Like some other countries, Ethiopia lacks frequent and programmed freshwater inventories. As a result, threats facing freshwater ecosystems and management strategies cannot be tracked adequately. This research, therefore, aimed to identify main threats affecting the Ethiopian Rift Valley lake (Ziway) and forward possible management strategies. Structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to interview and discuss with the local people regarding the current status of the wetland and management practices. Relevant literature were also reviewed from articles, reports, and policies. To support the policy review, a semi-structured questionnaire related to Ethiopian water policy scenario was used to interview officials, who have a direct or indirect responsibility to protect wetlands. The results indicated that Lake Ziway is being highly degraded mainly due to lack of sense of ownership, poor policy implementation, and uncoordinated activities. The main policy gaps, which deter the conservation of wetlands in Ethiopia are generally classified into three as (a) issues not emphasized in the policies and strategies, (b) inconsistent policies and conflict among strategic issues, and (c) aspects considered by the policies but not implemented. Accordingly, (i) standalone wetland policy; (ii) implementation of existing water-related policies through (a) participatory stakeholder involvement and (b) multi-sectoral collaboration; and (iii) obeying international wetland conventions are recommended to enhance the functionality and sustainability of Lake Ziway and Ethiopian wetlands in general.