Adaba-Dodola Community-based Eco-tourism Development

By Sisay Asfaw, Austria/Ethiopia

Summary

Adaba-Dodola community based ecotourism development project was initiated in 1995 to

develop a replicable model for the conservation and sustainable use of natural forests in

Ethiopia. The German Agency of Technical Cooperation (GTZ) provides advisory

services and equipment to the project on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany. The

project is concerned with the unregulated access to the natural forests. In the past, all

attempts to regulate access have failed. Even rules set at village level in a participatory

manner could not be enforced by the communities because of their large size and the

corresponding anonymity and heterogeneity. Therefore, a more holistic and

fundamentally new attempt is being tried, relying on the self-interest and self-organizing

capacity of forest dwellers. The Adaba-Dodola project is involved in activities which

generates income through Eco-tourism management. Towards to the fulfillment this, it

has constructed lodges and trekking routes. It also provides camping sites, horses, tents,

guides etc. There are five forest lodges in an altitude between 3080 and 3460 m, each

with its own characteristic scenery. The project assigned 18 personnel who have been

assisting the association. This document discuss the innovation needs of the project for it

further improvement and development.

Introduction

Adaba-Dodola Community-based Eco-tourism Development is a technical co-operation

project of the Governments of Ethiopia and Germany. Its mission is to develop a feasible

approach for the conservation of natural forests in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is

developed as a model for the Forest Priority Area of Adaba-Dodola located on the

northern slopes of the Bale Mountains. The mountain forest shrinks by 3% per year due

to unregulated access by wood collectors and livestock herds. It is started in 1995. Forest

inventories, land use surveys and baseline studies were conducted, and village

development promoted.

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Its strategy consists of three main components:

(a) Overcoming the ownerless status of the natural forest by granting exclusive use rights

to forest dwellers through forming forest dweller associations

(b) Reducing the pressure on the natural forest by promoting private nurseries and

woodlots in the adjacent farming areas; and

(c) Creating non-wood forest income through eco-tourism and wildlife utilisation.

Objective

The objective of this paper is to analyze and discus the innovation case of Adaba-Dodola

Community-based Eco-tourism Development project and to recommend innovative ideas

for the betterment of the project by focusing on non-wood forest income through eco-

tourism

Materials used during preparation of this document

Documents released on web sites, publications and interview (the person who was

interviewed is a tourism officer in one the national parks in the country and had

experience sharing visit to the project area twice in 2002) were the material used for the

analysis.

Necessity of the project and how it was born

Deforestation is one of the main problems in Ethiopia. The mountains south of the district

capitals Adaba and Dodola contain one of the last remnants of natural afro-montane

forest in the country. Although the area is one of the best conserved among 37 Forest

Priority Areas of the Regional State of Oromia, overexploitation of timber and firewood

as well as overgrazing endanger the survival of the forest. Increasing needs for farmland,

pasture and forest products exert a strong pressure on the forest.

There have been consecutive discussions between natural resource management

professionals both from government as well NGOs to look for a better management

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strategy for the forest resources in the area. The discussion was at its peak especially

when the forest was ruthlessly cleared during the fall down of the then government when

there was no guard looking for the forest. Through discussion the idea of joint forest

management was born and started by including experience of other countries. Therefore,

conserving the remnants of the afro-montane forest in Adaba-Dodola is the

objective of the projetc, an Ethio-German technical cooperation project in the

North-western Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. The project believes that forests can

only be conserved if they become as profitable as farming or herding. Therefore,

IFMP works towards multiple forest use and generation of alternative sources of

income.

The area where the project has been exercising was one of the 58 national forest priority

areas (NFPA) in Ethiopia. In spite of restriction of settlement inside national priority

forest area, in the Adaba-Dodola NFPA there are framers residing inside the forest. These

people were pastoralists. There are also farmers from very far area who were used to

come to the forest and harvest mainly wood for timber production and sale in an illegal

ways. The Adaba Dodola NFPA highly encroached by the surrounding communities and

the forest was on the verge of total degradation when project was started. The goal of the

project is sustainable utilization of the forest resources based on wise utilization and

management.

Policy issue

The Forest Proclamation No. 94/1994 stipulates the need for community-based

forest management;

In Ethiopia all land is owned by the government;

The forests within the three districts belongs to the regional government

Land covered by forest can be allocated by the government to collectives for their

utilization and sustainable management.

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The Stakeholders

The Adaba-Dodola Community-based Eco-tourism Development project was initiated in

1995 to develop a replicable model for the conservation and sustainable use of natural

forests in Oromia. The German Agency of Technical Cooperation (GTZ) provides

advisory services and equipment to the project on behalf of the Federal Republic of

Germany. The project is concerned with the unregulated access to the natural forests. So

far, all attempts to regulate access have failed. Even rules set at village level in a

participatory manner could not be enforced by the communities because of their large

size and the corresponding anonymity and heterogeneity. Therefore, a more holistic and

fundamentally new attempt is being tried, relying on the self-interest and self-organizing

capacity of forest dwellers. They will be granted exclusive long-term rights for the

sustainable use of the forest and have to pay a lease rent in return. As a result, forest

dwellers will keep out intruders, prices for forest products will increase and tree planting

outside the natural forest will become more profitable.

The Community, district administration, peasant association administration, District and

zonal office of agriculture, GTZ, environmental protection authority tourism office and

universities are involved in various aspects of the project. The project is coordinated

through GTZ

Innovation activities of the project and the approach used

Changing the classical way of protecting the forest and promotion of use of resources by

the local people has been the innovation activity of the project

In the long run, forests can only be conserved if they are as profitable as farming or

herding. Therefore, Adaba-Dodola Community-based Eco-tourism Development project

is working towards multiple uses of forests and generating alternative sources of income.

Ecotourism is one potential source of alternative income for the forest dwellers. For its

promotion, the project established 5 forest camps. The structures were donated to the

community. The village administration nominated camp keepers, who own the camp

furnishings and pay a lease rent for the camp to the community. Staff members,

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consultants, researchers and visiting students occasionally use the camps for fieldwork.

However, the camp keepers’ interest is to use it to full capacity by accommodating

tourists. The project assists in the process, but does not act as a tour operator. Guests

directly pay the service providers such as camp keepers, guides or horsemen.

Guidelines to be followed by them make sure that the visitor’s expectations will be met to

the highest possible degree.

Trekking routes and forest camps/lodges (products and services)

There are five forest camps/lodges in an altitude between 3080 and 3460 m, each with its

own characteristic scenery. The 40-square meter huts are divided into a hall and 2 dorms

with bunk beds for up to 8 visitors. There are bed sheets, sleeping bags, blankets, towels,

stoves, basic kitchenware, crockery, cutlery and kerosene lamps. A separate annex

contains a flush toilet and hot shower. Travelers will find the standard appropriate for

trekking tourists. The local people manage the huts. They follow guidelines meeting the

visitors’ expectations to the highest possible degree. It is also possible to pitch up own

tent on a campground or have a tent provided and enjoy a fireplace and barbecue in the

hut when the weather is bad outside.

Each camp can be reached from Dodola in half a day. Thus, it is possible to start the tour

in the afternoon Setting off early in the morning is preferable because if it rains it is

normally in the afternoon. The distance between camps is 5 to 18 km. The time for

walking or riding from one camp to the next is a few hours to just over half a day. This

allows the visitor to spend every night in a different camp. If the visitor does not have

time for all 5 camps, the guide will help select the ones most suited to personal

preferences.

Wahoro

Wahoro is the most western forest camp. The hut, constructed in 1999, is located in the

forest just below the Erica shrub zone at an altitude of 3300 m a.s.l. Starting

point for the ascent to Wahoro is a place called Changiti at an altitude of

2750 m. The distance to the forest camp covers 5.5 km and more than 500 m

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elevation difference from Changiti. Over much of the distance the trail follows the

Lensho River, which has to be crossed several times. Around the forest camp there are

several excursion possibilities. It is only a short foot walk to the impressive rock

formation of Wahoro. Muslims from different clans spend a night once a year there in

simple shelters for worshipping. A beautiful and pristine forest, where sometimes

mountain nyalas and Menelik’s bushbucks can be observed in the late afternoon or early

morning, surrounds the rock formation.

Angafo

Due to its high location with an excellent view and its remarkable surrounding

vegetation, Angafo is one of the most spectacular among the five forest

camps. It was constructed in 1997 at an altitude of 3460 m a.s.l. If one

ascends from Changiti, the trail first follows the Kora River and passes

several waterfalls. ne of the most beautiful and varied trails is the one from Wahoro to the

Angafo camp. At first, the way leads through forest or moorlands with heather. Between

Tulu Gedemsa (3640 m a.s.l.) and Gama Hugicho (3713 m a.s.l.), where Angafo hut can

already be seen, the vegetation starts being dominated by giant lobelias and thistles. Next

to the camp one can also see giant lobelias, Erica and Hypericum trees, watch various

birds or just appreciate the Mountain View.

Adele

The surroundings of the Adele forest camp are quite particular. The hut, constructed in

1997, is embedded in a quite lovely mountainous landscape with extended

Hagenia forests at an altitude of 3300 m. The ascent starts again from

Changiti. Crossing Hagenia and Hypericum forests, fields of lobelias and torch lilies, and

passing caves, the 9-km tour may take about 4 hours. From Angafo to the Adele forest

camp it is only a short but nice trip of 2 hours or about 4.5 km. Over the first section, the

trail follows a mountain ridge with views to the volcano-shaped Mount Kaka (4100 m

a.s.l.) and Mount Honkolo (3900 m a.s.l.) in Arsi on the other side of the Adaba-Dodola

plain.

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Mololicho

Mololicho forest camp is located at the edge of a vast plain at an altitude of 3080 m a.s.l.

Directly behind the hut, which was constructed in 1999, the pristine

Mololicho forest extents. The starting point for the ascent to Mololicho is

Herero (2400 m a.s.l.), a small town on the road to Goba about 16.5 km or

30 minutes by car east of Dodola. After trekking up the wooded mountain slope, the

forest gives way to a vast, open and swampy plain with undulating pastures and a

conspicuous vegetation of torch lilies, lobelias and tall herbs resembling fennel.

Duro

Duro is probably the forest camp with the most impressive view. Constructed in 1999 at

an altitude of 3350 m a.s.l., it borders the Bale Mountains National Park.

The 18-km tour from Mololicho to Duro covers the longest distance

between camps. It offers all that can be expected from the Bale

Mountains. Even if one gallops it will take at least one hour to cross Mololicho plain.

Later, the way leads through Hagenia and Erica forests and passes Lobelia and Angafo

plants. Carpets of yellow flowers make the tour especially attractive in November and

December.

The beauty of the Duro site can even be glimpsed through the windows of the hut: a

wide-angle view with impressive waterfalls especially in the rainy season. For a long-

distance view to the Arsi Mountains across the Wabe Shebele plain, a viewpoint is

located just next to the hut. Menelik’s Bushbucks and Nyalas are sometimes very close to

the hut. After climbing up the mountain slope behind the forest camp, the chances are

good to see an Ethiopian wolf. Some 5 hours on horseback from the hut there is Berenda

Ridge falling abruptly from an altitude of 3600 m a.s.l. down to Harenna forest, which is

famous for its abundant wildlife.

Advantage of the location

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The site where the project located has an advantage that visitors can access other nearby

destinations on their way. Dodola is only 75 km from the Rift Valley route along lakes

Langano, Abijatta and Shalla to Awassa. The headquarters in Dinsho of the Bale

Mountains National Park is at two hours by car from Dodola.From Goba (3 hours by car

from Dodola) a day trip across the Sanetti plateau takes you along the highest all-weather

road in Africa. A roundtrip to the Sof Umar caves is also best made from Goba.

Available information for tourists

A 12-min documentary video clip shows the beauties offered by a visit to one of the

camps. A more detailed 15-page illustrated brochure which can be provided through

electronic or surface mail free of charge and a colored topographic map of the trekking

area that has been sold in Dodola gives the necessary information to a visitor. The

information provided by the Adaba-Dodola Community-based Eco-tourism Development

project to inform tour operators and independent travelers about the destination is

important promoting the project.

Limitations

For booking and getting additional information the telephone lines to Dodola are

frequently out of order. For bookings by surface mail it takes long delivery time. The

good thing is that if the visitors’ departure is imminent and the booking has not yet been

confirmed, services can be given by the project staff with out more difficulties (even off-

office hours) and the mountain trip can be arranged for the next morning if the visitors

arrive before nightfall. Nevertheless, through time if the communication system will not

be improved it will be one source for declining the quality of the services given.

However, given the government has been improving the communication system in the

near future this problem will be resolved.

Strength

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The provision of information on the web page particularly with the heading “Frequently

asked questions” and discussion based on the question upgrades visitors and plays a great

role in promoting the business.

Working Staff

There are about 18 personnel working in the project most with agriculture and forestry

background. Great portion of the personnel are technical and field assistances that are

responsible for inventory work and follow up.

Markets and customers

Currently most customers are researchers, experience sharing people, and some tourists

(mountain trekkers). Considering the availability of wild animals, beautiful scenery of the

mountains, presence of one of the national parks in the near by area it has a great

potential for attracting more costumers and promoting the eco-tourism further. The

exiting customers are both domestic and international.

Main trend in the business area

Sense of ownership developed in the community hence, there is no guard looking for the

forest anymore. Every member of the community has the responsibility to take care of the

forest. The forest improved both in quantity and quality. Moreover the community started

to fetch the benefit. No failure reported till now.

Legal status

It is waiting for government approval.

Potential for this innovation

It has great potential to grow further and also it will be very important innovative idea if

most NFPA in the country implement the same strategy.

Analysis of the present situation of the project, their business goals and operating

environment regarding innovation aspects

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The main principles of Adaba-Dodola project is the multipurpose and near- nature forest

management. But nowadays the public-welfare forestry is getting more and more

important in the management. In this project the proportion of the natural regeneration

has been getting highest, which is an important thing according to the opinions of the

public and professionals involve in nature conservation.

It is also taking care with game management, which has a dominant place in the incomes.

It is also deal with fuelwood selling. They sell it to neighbouring districts. The

configurations of the terrain, soil and hydrographical conditions of the regions concerned

are quite varied and consequently the arboriculture conditions of the areas broken by

mountains and valleys also show a very varied picture.

The project is involved in activities which generates income through Eco-tourism

management. Towards to the fulfilment this, it has constructed lodges and trekking

routes. It also provides camping sites, horses, tents, guides and etc. These services are

addressed to tourists who are interested in site seeing, mountain trekking, hunting and

looking traditional way of life.

Resources of the project:

Natural - climate and the relief, the landscapes, flora and fauna - unique in east Africa

(and some on the Earth), wildlife diversity and beautiful scenery, numerous species of

plants and invertebrate species.

Cultural – community’s traditional way of life.

Human – besides 18 employees working in the project all community members share

responsibly and actively involved to wards the fulfilment of the projects goal.

Technical –Five forest lodges, tents and the necessary equipment for the company’s

activities

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Market situation

It is a single state/public forestry project in its kind

Area – Mainly Ethiopia and rarely from different parts of the world

Customers - public, researchers, experience sharing people, tourists, tourism companies,

training companies, owners of non-state forest; hunting and fishing organizations

Competitors –tourism companies, national parks

Evaluations of the project

The innovation activities will be made based on the results registered so far and the need

for further improvement. After the implementation of the innovation activities it is

expected that there will be more visitors to the area and people get more knowledge about

products and services by information tables, web sites, articles, brochures, prospects,

maps, press communication etc. If number of visitors of increases, it also improves the

activities of the company in the area like renting activity (lodges, horses, and tents etc).

More extensive cooperation with other organizations will help research and development

work. Spreading knowledge is main part of this cooperation. Presently there are

considerable numbers of visitors’ each year with an increasing trend in the project area.

The diversity of wildlife, beautiful scenery of the mountains, and the traditional way of

life of the community has a great potential for attracting more visitors and hoped to

promote the eco-tourism services further. The government promised to provide some

incentives like reducing the tax rate depending on the performance of the project so that

this will also help in promoting the business further. However, in the near future the

German Agency of Technical Cooperation, that is monitoring the ecotourism activity that

should be made in the limits of the park’s and community’s interest, will withdraw itself

and it will be a challenge for the community if they will not make themselves to stand by

themselves. Moreover, for booking and getting additional information the telephone lines

of the project are frequently out of order. For bookings by surface mail it takes long

delivery time. These are the threats for the project. Nevertheless, the government is

working towards improving the communication system and in the near future this

problem will be resolved.

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For the improvement of the project the innovation process has to involve the next

activities and processes:

Diversification of trekking routes

Construction of additional lodges

Strengthening communication/relations with stockholders (private tour operators,

schools)

Training for the staff in tourism management

Cooperation with local tourism units to send tourists, promotion of the activities

Improving the knowledge of people about the forest and forest management

Educational trail

Improving the knowledge of the employees with trainings, meetings, brainstorming

Improvement of co-operation among forest administration and local schools.

Increasing students’ knowledge about forest and on forming attitude oriented towards

nature and its sustainable use and protection.

support improvement of the tourist infrastructure aiming at more effective usage of

natural resources and development of alternative tourism and sustainable forest

management

Increase knowledge towards forest, to teach youngsters and to form their way of life

focused on nature and its sustainable use and protection

Increasing environmental awareness of tourists visiting the area and their responsibility

for protection of forests and natural features

The expected results of the innovative process are:

Due to the good Public Relation strategy more and more visitors will arrive

Owing to the innovation new facilities will be available (lodges, tracking routs,

educational trails etc.)

Due to high number of visitors the income will be higher and higher

Due to the visitors the region will also make a benefit for our activities (the

employs are from the local community, local family businesses will extend their

activities, the taxes paid will increase the community’s financing sources)

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Due to the improved technology the market position of wood products expended

to Asia and Pacific

New collaborations and contracts with companies and organizations from the

country and abroad with the project activities

Conclusions

To improve further the project and also to maintain its progress on the market it needs

innovative ideas and activities. The innovation is important for development and

improvement, and the notoriety and profit of the company depends on his power and

possibilities to survive in a market that is always changing. Therefore the customer’s

needs and requirements have to foreseen and anticipated. If the income from the business

increases and enables the community to fetch significant amount of money from their

resources, their concern and involvement towards the protection and sustainable

management of the resources will increase.

References

Badada Debelli,1999. Mammals of Adaba-Dodola Forest Priority Area. Dodola, Ethiopia.

(Unpublished)

Köln, 1995. Ecotourism Working Group: Ecotourism as a Conservation Instrument? -

Making Conservation Projects More Attractive.

Fichtmüller, S., 1997. Useful Plants of the Adaba-Dodola Mountains.

Ministry of Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection: Dodola,

Ethiopian.(Unpublished)

Tsegaye Tadesse 1999. A New Look Towards the Conservation of the Adaba-Dodola

Forests. Dodola,Ethiopia. (Unpublished)

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Baptist R., Aklilu A. and Abdurahiman K., 2000. Forest User Groups in the Bale

Mountains, Ethiopia: III. Pasture Income and Land Use Scenarios. EJNR

Berhanu Ebsa, Baptist, R. and Zerihun Getu, 1999. Markets for wood products of the

natural forest in Adaba-Dodola. Ethiopian Journal of Natural Resources. 1999. 1(2): 235-

249

Kunert M., 2000. Integrated Forest Management Project Adaba-Dodola (IFMP). Dodola,

Ethiopia

Pictures:

Domnick I. (Trekking tourists in Adaba-Dodola); Schütze M. (Wahoro hut, Duro hut -

inte

Webs

www.inno-forest.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recreation

www.egererdo.hu

www.baletrek.com

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