Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
Negative Impacts
The result of the discussion revealed that the project will affect the population’s social, economic and
cultural relations that existed between the left and right bank of the river. The anticipated negative impacts of
the project are summarized below.
• The most important adverse impacts perceived by the respondents were loss of dwellings, farmland
and fuelwood, and flowering plants that are useful for the production of honey.
• The movements of the pastoralist in search of grazing land will be affected and this can affect the
basic livelihood of the pastoralist communities.
• The flooding of the forest resources may expose them to wildlife attacks and this can threaten them
and their domestic animals.
• The project will flood the natural spring and holy water used for healing. In addition to this, the
mineral soil (Bole soil) which is used for cattle feed will also be flooded by the reservoir.
• The project will result in the disruption of social, economic, cultural and trade relation between the
people of Soro and Dawro, Omo Sheleko wereda and Dawro, Soro and Omonada, Omo Sheleko and
other people residing on the opposite side of the river, Boloso Soro and other people reside in the
opposite side, Boloso Soro wereda and Dawro people.
8.4.2 Views of Individual Households
The discussions made with individuals shows that the project will have both the negative and the positive
impacts and the most important ones are presented below.
Positive Impacts
The individual consultations show that the people associated the project with poverty reduction program
through an introduction of different interventions. The people may get access to development, improved
water facilities, electricity and also construction of clinic and school as well as manufacturing industries may
take place. Irrigation could be developed and job opportunities could be created.
Negative impacts
• The implementation of the project will lead to the displacement of the people living within the
reservoir area and this will result in the loss of income and other associated problems.
• The project will cause the disruptions of social, economic and cultural relation between the people
residing on both banks of the river.
• The project will be a cause for the destruction of spring water found within the project area.
• There will be a loss of beehives, farming and grazing lands of the area and the absence of forests will
lead to the migration and death of wild life. The people could also be attacked by wild animals.
• The implementation of the project will interrupt the existing foot paths and this makes
communication among the people residing at different places difficult.
• The prevalence and the spread of malaria could be worsened.
8.4.3 Consultations with Local Officials
Discussions were held with wereda administrations and several issues were raised during the consultative
meetings and the brief summery is presented below.
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