Saving Lake Hawassa from Distress – Article about NatuReS Protecting Lake Hawassa Partnership published in the InfoNile

The Natural Resources Stewardship (NatuReS) Programme partnership, Protecting Lake Hawassa (PLH), was featured in the article “Saving Lake Hawassa from Distress“, published in the InfoNile [30.10.2024].

The Protecting Lake Hawassa (PLH) partnership was established in 2018 with the aim of mitigating the environmental and social risks affecting Lake Hawassa. Supported by the Natural Resources Stewardship Programme, stakeholders from the private, public sector and civil society work together in a participatory process to safeguard the lake and its ecosystem, ensuring sustainable economic growth in Hawassa City and the sub-catchment. The partnership engages in different activities aimed at ecosystem protection, livelihood diversification of communities and awareness raising about natural resources stewardship.

Lake Hawassa, one of Ethiopia’s Rift Valley lakes, faces challenges from rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth, which have led to increased pollution, resource over-extraction, and habitat degradation. As a critical water source and ecosystem, the lake supports local industries and agriculture, fishing, and tourism, all of which are vital to the regional economy. All members of the partnership agree ad work on joint action and solutions solutions to reduce the pressures on Lake Hawassa. Through this participatory approach, the stewardship multi-stakeholder partnership especially includes women and marginalized groups in decision-making processes and thus contribute to a Just Transition where no one is left behind.

Find more information about the partnership and its activities, read more here.