Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
which may be damaging to the river ecology. During operation shutdown, water should also be
released to benefit the fish stock below the dam site;
• The riverine fishery has not been considered for commercial fishing development to gain economic
benefit up to now. However, with the reservoir fishery, the situation would be different. It is
expected that many commercially valuale fish species like Nile perch, Lates niloticus, the Bagrus,
Tilapia, Clarias, Barbus, and other large fisher species that are currently in the riverine system would
adopt and flourish in the reservoir. This would create the opportunity to develop a commercial
fishing industry that would support the local community econommically and nutritionally. Once the
reservoir system is stabilised, with regard to its productivity, further study should be undertaken on
the possibility and/or the need for stocking more fish species that could fill up open nitches to
enhance productivity of the reservoir without negative impact on the exiting fish fauna.
• Based on the outcome of the monitoring activities, the flow rhythm (of water to be released from the
dam) be regulated and synchronised with the biological rhythm of the fish species to enhance or
sustain the regular spawning activity of these migratory downstream fishes; and
• Protect the brooding stock from being exposed to heavy fishing pressure as they aggregate at the
river mouth and become more vulnerable to fishing.
7.3.5 National Parks and other Protected Areas
Based on the review of available national and regional conservation area maps issued by the Federal
Government of Ethiopia and other competent authorities, the Consultant has confirmed that: the project area
is neither contiguous with, nor in close proximity with any of these nationally protected areas like National
Parks, Wildlife Resources, and Controlled Hunting Areas. Therefore no direct mitigation measures are
necessary.
The government has classified 58 of the most important high forest areas as Regional Forest Areas (RFA) in
the country. However, none of these RFAs are directly influenced by the Gibe III reservoir.
There are many birds in the project area. However, none of the nationally designated Important Bird Areas
are found anywhere near the project area. Therefore no direct mitigation measures are necessary.
As discussed above, it is recommended to establish a buffer zone around the future reservoir area for the
wildlife displaced during reservoir filling. This buffer Area will also support the bio-diversity conservation
as it would enhance the biological value of the area.
7.4 Impacts on Socio-Economical Environment
7.4.1 Agriculture
Realization of the proposed Gibe III Scheme (including EEPCO’s permanent camp and the Chida-Sodo
Road Realignment) will impact an estimated 138.7 ha of cultivated land belonging to five PAs in two
Weredas (See Table 7.2). This principal construction impact arises from the land-take requirements for the
reservoir (70.4 ha) and construction of other facilities associated with Gibe III hydropower scheme. To
accommodate the future operators dwelling, and the Chida-Sodo realignment an estimated 14.38 ha and
54.18 ha of farmland will also be affected respectively. This agricultural land is under annual cropping, most
of which is for family subsistence, with a relatively small surplus being available for sale or trading. The
resettlement/compensation strategies have been presented in the Resettlement Action Plan report.
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