Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
Place/Venue of the FG: Kebele Office Date: 20/12/07
Wereda: Dasanech FGD composition: Kebele leaders and members,
and MDI
Kebele Lobet Number of participants: 45
The PCM members are composed of Kebele leaders and members including MDI representatives. The major
theme of the PCM is:
• To learn and understand the effects of the project on the down stream communities; and
• To explore appropriate mitigation measures to avert the adverse effects caused due to the
construction of the Dam;
The consultative group raised major issues with regard to the possible impacts of the project. The points are
summarized below:
• The Omo River has always been the lifeblood of the community providing essential water source for
their livestock and crop production;
• When riverbanks are adequately (not in catastrophic proportion) flooded communities in Desanech
could grow crops primarily for consumption all through the year and any surplus obtained is sold or
bartered in the market;
• Pasture lands which are created by the river out flows is the main grazing source for cattle all year
round; and
• Fishing in the lakes created by the floods is very common and the product uses for household
consumption and marketing.
The absence of river flood will bring problems on the livelihood of the communities. Thus possible
mitigation measures should be identified and implemented. These include:
• The expansion of irrigated agriculture as it is currently underway has proven to be practical while
pastoralist have begun to produce fruits and vegetables for markets.
• As grazing plains cease to grow grass with the absence of flood waters, it is important that well
water be installed for human and livestock use.
• Improved varieties of fodder should be introduced so that pastoralists will not depend on grazing,
and
• Improved varieties of vegetable seeds should be distributed in order to promote the development of
cash crops.
CESI SpA - Mid-Day International Consulting Engineers Page 312