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Developed and developing countries alike are trying to maximize
benefits from their natural resources which take, among other
things, the form of eco-tourism which constitutes the basis for
the development of tourism for the region and the country as a
whole. Eco-tourism is a specialized form of tourism that promises
to be a major source of foreign exchange earnings. Eco-tourism
is often said to be the fastest area of tourism growth for any
region or country. Provided all the requirements for its development
are in place, eco-tourism can emerge as a leading resource of
foreign exchange earnings after coffee. At present, however, neither
the system of conservation nor available facilities and services
warrant any significant development of this resource. Several
measures aimed at exploiting this tourist resource would have
to be initiated over the medium and long-term periods for making
the various parks and conservation areas in Oromia as major destinations
of eco-tourism.
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The natural resource base of Oromia, particularly
its forest and wildlife resources, are both diverse and extensive. There
are about 30 major forest areas within the region which are well distributed
within the various agro-ecological zones. There also the lowland woodland
forests, bush and shrub lands which constitute conducive natural habitats
for wildlife. However, with increases in the size of both human and animal
populations, and the corresponding increases in the demand on these resources,
the natural habitat on which wildlife depend for food and cover, for nesting
and breeding are becoming gradually depleted and degraded and threatens
the very existence of wildlife. The causes for degradation are primarily
the demand for more land for cultivation, fuel and construction as well
as for grazing grounds.
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Following the pattern of distribution
of the region’s forest resources, the wildlife resource of Oromia
is distributed throughout the region. At present, about 20 conservation
areas including 3 national parks, 6 wildlife reserves, 4 wildlife sanctuaries
and 6 controlled hunting areas have been delineated. Wildlife recordings
from these conservation areas show that there are a total of 277 animal
and 861 bird species. Although reptiles and amphibians have not been exhaustively
recorded, there are a few species of crocodiles, monitor lizards and snakes.
Recordings of mammals and birds are also not exhaustive. The Rift Valley
lakes are known for their species of fish such as tilapia, barbus, and
cat fish. The brown and rainbow exotic trout fish are found in most of
the rivers in Bale.
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The
indigenous forest and the unique wildlife resources together with the
contrasting landscapes and land features make the region among the most
attractive in terms of both its scenic beauty and beautiful nature heritage.
Some of these are rare (and endangered) species of animals such as Ethiopian
wolf (canis seinensis), wattled cranes (gris carunculatus), African elephant
(loxodonta africana), Grevy's zebra (equis gravill), mountain nyala
(traglephus buxtoric), Rouget's rail (rougetuis rougetic), etc. The region
is also home to endemic flora and fauna whose significance is not limited
to the region or the country alone but which also are of world-wide importance.
The conservation, management and development of these resources form the
basis for their non-consumptive (wildlife viewing and photography) and
consumptive (wildlife sport hunting) utilisation on a sustainable basis.
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The development of infrastructure such
as access roads, water, electricity, communications, residential and administrative
buildings, safari lodges, the development of camp grounds, entrance gates,
museums, etc. are necessary for developing eco-tourism. For conservation
areas with such facilities and services, adequate budgetary allocations
should be made for maintenance and routine activities. In all these development
activities, environmental guidelines have to be strictly observed in order
to avoid environmental degradation.
The
development of eco-tourism requires trained manpower for effective conservation,
management and development of resources. Both existing and new conservation
areas must be backed by appropriate policies and legislation. Conservation
areas, national parks, sanctuaries, etc. need to be gazzetted and their
ecological boundaries should be delineated. Provided that these conditions
are fulfilled, conservation areas can become full-fledged destinations
of eco-tourism and would be able to generate economic benefits to local
communities, the region and the country at large. |
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