Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
200m, is open and wide with some broad leaved vegetation and the valley surface is some grass land. This
area is suitable for a considerable species of mammals (both herbivore and carnivore), birds and some
reptiles. We are told a Rock Python was killed the day before.
Hadero: The site we visited here is Omo river part known as Bombe Farmers Association, a village known as
Sangana Located at 338480E and 711200N some 200m from this village is the Omo River gorge is
uninhabited expect some pastoralists visit during season of grazing shortage in their usual dwelling area.
Some a kilometer distance towards the north of the river, one can overlook an area suitable for a considerable
number of species of mammals antelopes, Hippopotamus, carnivores such as Hyena, Leopard and Lion.
5.2.5.2 Wildlife- Habitat
Interacting biophysical (elevation, soil type, moisture, flooding, slope), climate and anthropogenic factors
(burning, agriculture, fuelwood collection, forest product gathering, etc.) have resulted in the development of
a mosaic of vegetation types in the project area. The habitats in the project area include: broad-leaved
deciduous woodland on the hillslopes of the valley and a narrow zone of riparian vegetation along the river
and stream banks. These vegetations provide good habitat to support diverse wildlife species.
As explained by the settlers and also observed during field investigation, the areas along the river bank and
the hill slopes are not inhabited. As a result of steep slope and Tsetse fly infestation, almost no farming is
practiced. This made these sites good habitat for wildlife and birds.
5.2.6 National Parks and Other Protected Areas
Ethiopia is making efforts to protect biodiversity, and conserve resources through the creation of protected
parks, wildlife reserves, and controlled hunting areas. However, the Gibe III reservoir area is neither
contiguous with, nor in close proximity with any of these protected areas.
There are many birds in the project area (see Annex 2), however, according to Ethiopian wildlife and Natural
History Society, there are no Important Bird Areas (IBA) anywhere near the reservoir area.
5.3 Socio-Economical Environment
The socio-economic assessment has been carried out with the objective to provide a comprehensive analysis
of the existing socio-economic conditions of the population in the future reservoir area.
Mixes of methodologies have been used in this socio-economic assessment. These include: collection of
documents, field investigation, extensive group discussions with wereda officials and focus groups and use
of other relevant PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) tools.
Field investigation trip to the project sites was conducted to:
• Study the existing socio-economic conditions,
• Identify the existing socio-economic constraints,
• Assess the potential impacts both positive and negative
• Suggest measures to mitigating negative impacts
• Ascertain the expectations and attitudes of the local communities towards the project.
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