Friedrich zur Heide Feasibility Study for a Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve, Ethiopia BfN-Skripten 317 2012 Feasibility Study for a Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve, Ethiopia Friedrich zur Heide Cover pictures: Tributary of the Blue Nile River near the Nile falls (top left); fisher in his traditional Papyrus boat (Tanqua) at the southwestern papyrus belt of Lake Tana (top centre); flooded shores of Deq Island (top right); wild coffee on Zege Peninsula (bottom left); field with Guizotia scabra in the Chimba wetland (bottom centre) and Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea (bottom right) (F. zur Heide). Author’s address: Friedrich zur Heide Michael Succow Foundation Ellernholzstrasse 1/3 D-17489 Greifswald, Germany Phone: +49 3834 83 542-15 Fax: +49 3834 83 542-22 Email: [email protected] Co-authors/support: Dr. Lutz Fähser Michael Succow Foundation Renée Moreaux Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald Christian Sefrin Department of Geography, University of Bonn Maxi Springsguth Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald Fanny Mundt Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Succow Michael Succow Foundation Email: [email protected] Technical Supervisor at BfN: Florian Carius Division I 2.3 “International Nature Conservation” Email: [email protected] The study was conducted by the Michael Succow Foundation (MSF) in cooperation with the Amhara National Regional State Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Parks Development (BoCTPD) and supported by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the Environmental Research Plan (FKZ: 3510 82 3900) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). 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No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the copyright owner. Printed by the printing office of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Printed on 100% recycled paper. ISBN 978-3-89624-052-1 Bonn, Germany 2012 Feasibility study for a potential biosphere reserve Lake Tana – Michael Succow Foundation 2012 Table of contents 1. Outline of the feasibility study ......................................................................... 9 1.1. Background of the feasibility study ................................................................ 9 1.2. Purpose, objectives and scope of the study ................................................ 10 1.3. The five feasibility dimensions ..................................................................... 12 1.4. Methodology and approach ......................................................................... 13 1.5. Designation procedure for biosphere reserves ............................................ 16 2. Introduction ......................................................................................................17 2.1. The MAB Programme and Biosphere Reserves in Ethiopia ........................ 17 2.2. The general policy framework in Ethiopia and links to other conventions.... 19 3. Feasibility dimension I: Natural and cultural potential .................................22 3.1. Baseline of the Lake Tana Region .............................................................. 22 3.2. Ecosystem types and potential natural vegetation ...................................... 24 3.3. Important habitats and significance for biodiversity ..................................... 27 3.3.1. Aquatic ecosystems ................................................................................. 28 3.3.2. Wetlands around Lake Tana .................................................................... 29 3.3.3. Birdlife and other wildlife .......................................................................... 39 3.3.4. Church forests – islands of biodiversity .................................................... 42 3.4. Cultural significance: cultural landscapes and elements of conservation .... 44 3.5. The socioeconomic context of the Lake Tana Region ................................. 45 3.6. Summary: natural and cultural potentials and their threats .......................... 47 4. Feasibility dimension II: The context for sustainable economy and land-use – “nothing begets nothing” .................................................................................50 4.1. Agriculture ................................................................................................ 51 4.1.1. Conclusions, recommendations and visions ......................................... 57 4.2. Forests and forestry around Lake Tana ................................................... 60 4.2.1. Functions of the forests for local communities ...................................... 62 4.2.2. Forest rehabilitation .............................................................................. 63 4.2.3. Evaluation of forestry for a potential biosphere reserve ........................ 66 4.2.4. Summary: recommendations for forests and forestry ........................... 71 4.3. Fisheries ................................................................................................... 73 4.3. Land-use dynamics, trends and challenges ................................................ 74 4.3.1. Soil erosion, land degradation and siltation .............................................. 74 4.3.2. Growth-orientation, growth corridors and water development .................. 76 4.3.3. Urbanization ............................................................................................. 85 4.4. (Eco)tourism and potentials in LTR ............................................................. 88 4.4.1. Linking tourism and conservation: Bahir Dar Abay River Millennium Park 89 4.4.2. Ecotourism in Lake Tana Region – potentials for the implementation of community-based ecotourism .................................................................. 91 4.4.3. Stakeholder analysis ................................................................................ 92 4.4.4. External resources analysis ..................................................................... 96 4.4.5. Conclusions and recommendations ......................................................... 97 3 Feasibility study for a potential biosphere reserve Lake Tana – Michael Succow Foundation 2012 5. Feasibility dimension III: Stakeholders and participation ...........................100 5.1. Institutional set-up and relevant stakeholders ........................................... 100 5.1.1. Stakeholder analysis .............................................................................. 104 5.1.2. Existing projects and interventions relevant for a BR ............................. 109 5.1.3. Community participation ......................................................................... 111 5.1.4. Commitment and acceptance of stakeholders for a biosphere reserve .. 112 5.1.5. Conclusions and recommendations ....................................................... 113 6. Feasibility dimension IV: Research and monitoring ...................................115 6.1. Regional set-up for research ..................................................................... 115 6.2. Bird monitoring .......................................................................................... 117 6.3. Shortcomings and need for research......................................................... 117 7. Feasibility dimension V: Legal framework ...................................................119 7.1. National MAB Strategy .............................................................................. 119 7.2. Protected areas in the Amhara Region ...................................................... 120 7.3. Legislations pertaining to water and wetlands ........................................... 121 7.4. Urban planning legislation ......................................................................... 122 8. Vision and objectives of a potential Biosphere Reserve in the LTR ..........124 8.1. Results from the stakeholder workshops ................................................... 124 8.2. Key pillars of a BR in the LTR ................................................................... 128 8.3. BR zonation proposal ................................................................................ 130 8.3.1. Functions of the zones ........................................................................... 130 8.3.2. Proposed areas and zones .................................................................... 132