Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
would be proper range management and feeding practices. Therefore, the total amount of money
required to compensate for the loss of grazing land by improving an estimated 10,000 ha floodplain
grazing land is estimated at Birr 2 million;
• To introduce milk processing plant in the weredas located downstream of the Gibe III scheme. This
would not only insure that the pastoralist and agro-pastoralist get attractive prices for the milk they
supply from farm by adding value, but will also introduce the much needed market oriented
diversification in the agricultural system of the area. It could be managed and run by farmers who
get specialised trainings;
• To rehabilitate and strengthen the existing veterinary services and establishing new veterinary
facilities in the affected weredas. The intervention would include strengthening the service with
facilities, equipment, trained staff, drugs, etc. at wereda level;
• To provide training for farmers, development and extension workers at wereda and community level.
Photo 7.7: Forage Demonstration Site at
Dasenech Wereda
7.5.8 Fishery
Photo 7.8: Nursery Site at Hammer Wereda
Karadus Kebele
Under present ‘average’ flood condition, large tracts of floodplain are submerged annually along the Omo
River and around the river mouth. These areas are essential for the breeding success of many species of
commercial importance and any reduction in the area flooded or the duration of flooding would have
consequences on the fishery resources.
It is planned to seasonally release more water to create some floodplain condition and allow those fish
species to spawn and maintain the recruitment level. However, the discharge mechanism and operational
program (timing and volume of water discharge) should be arranged by considering the impacts on the fish
stocks. To enhance the benefit from the planned release to cause flood pulse and avoid any potential impacts
on fishery it is recommended to:
• Assist the wereda agriculture and rural development offices to monitor the fishing activity 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;
• Assist for the introduction and promotion of modern fishing technologies in the area in order to
increase productivity and efficient utilization of the fishery resource; and
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