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AWASH NATIONAL PARK: ITS DEGRADATION STATUS AND PROTECTION MEASURES 

^{Belay Zerga}

Department Of Natural Resources Management, Wolkite University, Ethiopia

 Author E-mail:belayzerga@gmail.com

Accepted 19 August, 2015

Awash National Park (ANP) is one of the few national Parks in Ethiopia with extraordinary biodiversity and located 225 km away from Addis Ababa and situated between latitudes 8⁰50' and 9⁰10' north and longitudes 39⁰45' and 40⁰10' east. The ANP was established in 1966 and gazzated 1969 as a strict conservation area. Its altitude ranges from 705 to 2007 m a. s .l.. Awash National Park is characterized by semi-arid climate and bimodal rainfall with the annual rainfall ranging between 400 and 700 mm. Out of the nine vegetation types of Ethiopia, the vegetation type of ANP is classified under Acacia-Commiphora woodland in the Somali-Masai Regional Center of endemism. Grassland, savanna and shrub land dominate the park. More than 81 species of mammals, 453 species of birds (6 of them endemic) have been recorded from the park. ANP is home to five vulnerable species (Lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hiposiderose minimus; Trident leaf-nosed bat, Asellia patrizii; Spot-necked otter,Lutra macuricollis; lion, Panthera leo and Soemmering’s gazelle, Gazelle soemmerringi). Consequently, the park remains one of the high potential tourist areas in the central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, because of its proximity to Addis Ababa and road access for tourists. An appealing tourist attraction of the park include: diverse culture of people; the abundance of wildlife and plant resources; scenic value and; the existence of archeological sites. The Park is currently facing major threats because of the growing pressure of the local communities in search of resources. Policy unfairness was identified as the main threatening cause of the park resources. The impact of expansion of private and state farms was also reported as another impact. Thus, the general objective of this review paper was to investigate the degradation status and protection measures in the Awash National Park. LULC changes, causes of degradation, loss of wildlife resources, government policies in and around the park, unwise public facilities and protection measures are also reviewed specifically.

Key words: Awash National Park, Degradation status, Land use/land cover change, pastoralists, protection measures

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August 2015 Vol. 2(3)

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Palgo Journal of Agriculture

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