AMU-IUC Held a Discussion on Chamo Lake Watershed Rehabilitation and Future Collaboration
Arba Minch University, through its AMU-IUC Project, convened a high-level discussion on the rehabilitation of the Chamo Lake watershed and broader community-focused initiatives. The forum brought together officials from the Gamo Zone, Arba Minch, Gerese town, and nearby districts to strengthen collaboration for sustainable environmental action.
Dr. Teklu Wegayehu, Vice President for Research and Cooperation, reaffirmed Arba Minch University’s commitment to generating practical, research-based solutions that benefit both communities and the environment. He noted that the AMU-IUC Project is tackling critical national issues, and has moved beyond research to implement tangible rehabilitation efforts especially in Gerese and the Chamo Lake area. He underscored the need for stronger collaboration with local government structures to scale these initiatives, which led to the organization of this discussion forum.
Dr. Fasil Eshetu, Manager of the AMU-IUC Project, emphasized that the rich natural resources and biodiversity in Arba Minch and its surroundings remain largely untapped. He underscored the urgent responsibility of this generation to safeguard and sustainably manage these hidden assets. Through internationally recognized research, the AMU-IUC Project is working to ensure the long-term conservation of local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Dr. Fasil explained that the project is now in its second phase, which prioritizes the practical application of research findings through community-based interventions. He raised a serious concern: an estimated 80% of the forest cover in the Chamo Lake watershed has been lost, posing a critical threat to the lake’s survival.
He called for stronger collaboration with local government bodies, leveraging both research evidence and the project’s on-the-ground experience.
The AMU-IUC Project, he noted, has already demonstrated effective soil and water conservation methods in the Chamo watershed and surrounding rugged areas offering scalable models for broader environmental restoration efforts.
Mr. Hakime Ayele, Head of Gamo Zone Prosperity Party, praised the university’s vital contributions to environmental conservation and urged urgent action to protect Chamo Lake. He called for the expansion of pilot projects and stronger community participation.
Dr. Seyoum Getaneh, a member of RSP6, affirmed that the project has proven the effectiveness and affordability of forest and gully rehabilitation and conservation. He shared that eight hectares of forest have already been restored, and that agroforestry practices including the introduction of apple seedlings are being promoted in Gerese Oro. “Now is the time for action,” he urged.
Dr. Tolera Seda, Director of the Community Engagement and Industry Linkage Directorate, underscored the university’s wide range of community-centered initiatives, supported by research under the AMU-IUC. He called for enhanced collaboration with government structures to scale these efforts and ensure broader impact.
Engineer Getenet Melese from the Department of Civil Engineering at Arba Minch University has warned that the severe gully erosion in Gerese town, caused by land degradation, poses a serious threat to residents, institutions, and road infrastructure if not addressed promptly through proper rehabilitation and soil and water conservation measures. He noted that although earlier efforts were made to stabilize the area, the interventions were ineffective, and the situation has now reached a critical level. To prevent the erosion from spreading further and to restore the area to its original condition, Engineer Getenet stated that the university has prepared and presented a design offering three alternative solutions.
Stakeholders agreed to bolster coordination and work together more closely to advance the university’s community-driven environmental efforts.
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Arba Minch University, through its AMU-IUC Project, convened a high-level discussion on the rehabilitation of the Chamo Lake watershed and broader community-focused initiatives. The forum brought together officials from the Gamo Zone, Arba Minch, Gerese town, and nearby districts to strengthen collaboration for sustainable environmental action.
Dr. Teklu Wegayehu, Vice President for Research and Cooperation, reaffirmed Arba Minch University’s commitment to generating practical, research-based solutions that benefit both communities and the environment. He noted that the AMU-IUC Project is tackling critical national issues, and has moved beyond research to implement tangible rehabilitation efforts especially in Gerese and the Chamo Lake area. He underscored the need for stronger collaboration with local government structures to scale these initiatives, which led to the organization of this discussion forum.
Dr. Fasil Eshetu, Manager of the AMU-IUC Project, emphasized that the rich natural resources and biodiversity in Arba Minch and its surroundings remain largely untapped. He underscored the urgent responsibility of this generation to safeguard and sustainably manage these hidden assets. Through internationally recognized research, the AMU-IUC Project is working to ensure the long-term conservation of local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Dr. Fasil explained that the project is now in its second phase, which prioritizes the practical application of research findings through community-based interventions. He raised a serious concern: an estimated 80% of the forest cover in the Chamo Lake watershed has been lost, posing a critical threat to the lake’s survival.
He called for stronger collaboration with local government bodies, leveraging both research evidence and the project’s on-the-ground experience.
The AMU-IUC Project, he noted, has already demonstrated effective soil and water conservation methods in the Chamo watershed and surrounding rugged areas offering scalable models for broader environmental restoration efforts.
Mr. Hakime Ayele, Head of Gamo Zone Prosperity Party, praised the university’s vital contributions to environmental conservation and urged urgent action to protect Chamo Lake. He called for the expansion of pilot projects and stronger community participation.
Dr. Seyoum Getaneh, a member of RSP6, affirmed that the project has proven the effectiveness and affordability of forest and gully rehabilitation and conservation. He shared that eight hectares of forest have already been restored, and that agroforestry practices including the introduction of apple seedlings are being promoted in Gerese Oro. “Now is the time for action,” he urged.
Dr. Tolera Seda, Director of the Community Engagement and Industry Linkage Directorate, underscored the university’s wide range of community-centered initiatives, supported by research under the AMU-IUC. He called for enhanced collaboration with government structures to scale these efforts and ensure broader impact.
Engineer Getenet Melese from the Department of Civil Engineering at Arba Minch University has warned that the severe gully erosion in Gerese town, caused by land degradation, poses a serious threat to residents, institutions, and road infrastructure if not addressed promptly through proper rehabilitation and soil and water conservation measures. He noted that although earlier efforts were made to stabilize the area, the interventions were ineffective, and the situation has now reached a critical level. To prevent the erosion from spreading further and to restore the area to its original condition, Engineer Getenet stated that the university has prepared and presented a design offering three alternative solutions.
Stakeholders agreed to bolster coordination and work together more closely to advance the university’s community-driven environmental efforts.
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