Assessment on Lake Tana Biosphere Reserves in Zegae Peninsula, South and Central Gonder, Amhara Region, North Ethiopia

Abstract

The assessment was conducted at Lake Tana boundaries of Gonder, Fogera, Libokemkam, Bahir Dar area, west Dembya, east Dembya and Derain order to investigates and document community knowledge on Lake Tana biosphere reserves and its significant factors. This study was carried outin 30 consecutive days of 2012 E.C. Data from interviewers was collected using random sampling method. A total of 129 individuals with 13 (10.07%) female and 116 (89.92%) male were interviewed. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 21. As respondent result showed that activities served from the biosphere reserve are farming 15 (11.6%), farming and animal raring 48 (37.2%), vegetable and horticulture production 3 (2.3%), fishing 5 (3.9%), farming and vegetable 25 (19.4%), guiding tourists through water/by local bots and others 28 (21.7%). The Lake Tana biosphere reserves also provide financial, communal, supporting, ecological and spiritual services for the local society live in buffer zone of the lake. The lake is one of greatest potential for aquatics ecosystem, transportation activity, source of tourism developments home for different birds, fishes, hippos and other aquatic plant species. From the study area of all 18 kebeles Lake Tana biosphere reserve affected by Eichhornia crassipes 43 (33.3%), recession farming 1 (0.8%), erosion/sedimentation 1 (0.8%), pollution, invasive species 33 (25.6%) and free grazing 16 (12.4%). Eradication of wetlands, pollution, constrictions of buildings at the buffer zone of the lake, unsustainable utilization also factor for the Lake Tana biosphere reserve observed during the survey study. Lake Tana biosphere reserve is very crucial for the community interims of tourism specially peninsula and monasteries, irrigation and recreation. Sustainable conservation of the lake should be applied.