Message from the Head of Parks Development and Wildlife Conservation and Management Sector
The Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Development and Management Sector focuses on identifying, studying, protecting, preserving, caring for and developing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the region; promoting eco-tourism sites and community-based tourism developments; increasing the awareness of communities living in the area and other stakeholders and enhancing their participation; establishing a system for studying, protecting, developing and using the sector; monitoring, supporting and strengthening its performance; and ensuring the safety of the attractions and ensuring the equitable use of the communities in the region.
Our region is home to several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, the main ones being Omo, Bechisar, Mago and Maze National Parks, Tama Community Conservation Area, Murle Controlled Hunting Kebele, and Arbaminch Crocodile Ranch. Currently, these national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are facing various natural and man-made problems. These problems include climate change, population growth, environmental pollution, illegal hunting, illegal agricultural expansion, uncontrolled livestock breeding, illegal deforestation, illegal land encroachment, etc.
As the buffer zones of our region’s lakes (Chamo and Abaya Lakes) have been converted to agriculture and due to lack of soil conservation work, the lakes are being filled with silt and the biodiversity resources within them are being lost. Therefore, the Parks Development and Wildlife Conservation, Development and Management Sector will continue to work with various stakeholders and local communities to study these invaluable natural resources and, based on the results of the study, work to protect and develop them so that the community can benefit fairly from the resources. Therefore, I would like to convey my message to the lower structures in our region to contribute to the sector by targeting potential wildlife conservation areas.
Ato Gelgelo Gelsho
Head of Parks Development and Wildlife Conservation and Development Administration Sector
Message from the Head of the Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Development, and Management Sector
Our sector works hard to map, study, demarcate, and protect the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across our region. By expanding eco-tourism and community-based tourism, we aim to build a sustainable tourism industry. We are also focused on raising awareness and boosting the participation of local communities and key stakeholders. By setting up clear guidelines for research, protection, and development—while continuously supporting and tracking our progress—we safeguard these natural attractions and ensure our local communities fairly benefit from them.
Our region is home to incredible national parks and wildlife reserves, including the Omo, Nechisar, Mago, and Maze National Parks, the Tama Community Conservation Area, the Murle Controlled Hunting Area, and the Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch. Unfortunately, these areas currently face serious natural and human-made threats. These include climate change, population growth, pollution, illegal hunting, farming encroachment, overgrazing, illegal logging, and unauthorized land grabs.
Furthermore, the buffer zones around our regional lakes, such as Lakes Chamo and Abaya, are being completely cleared for agriculture. This, combined with a lack of soil conservation, is causing silt to fill the lakes and destroying their rich biodiversity.
Moving forward, the Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Development, and Management Sector will collaborate closely with various stakeholders and local communities. We will use research-driven strategies to rescue, restore, and develop these priceless natural resources, ensuring our community shares fairly in their benefits. I call upon all our local structures to develop their wildlife conservation areas to their full potential and help drive this vital sector forward.
Mr. Gelgelo Gelsho
Head, Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Development, and Management Sector