Ethiopian Community Takes Control of Conservation After Funding Loss
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📰 The quick summary: Ethiopia’s largest community conservation area is developing self-sufficiency initiatives after losing USAID funding, allowing local communities to continue protecting wildlife and their ancestral lands.
📈 One key stat: The Tama Community Conservation Area spans 197,000 hectares (487,000 acres) of land where conservation efforts have already increased elephant and giraffe populations.
💬 One key quote: “The community can generate income through different streams such as ecotourism, game hunting, trophy hunting, and other sustainable ventures,” Barkede Kulumedere, a project manager at Cool Ground, said.
1️⃣ The big picture: Ethiopia’s Tama Community Conservation Area (TCCA) faces a pivotal transition after losing $8.5 million in USAID funding earlier this year. The conservation area, established in 2022, had successfully reduced illegal hunting and deforestation while giving Indigenous communities legal rights to manage their ancestral lands. Now, local leaders are working to create financial self-sufficiency through various initiatives including ecotourism and sustainable hunting. A nonprofit called Cool Ground has stepped in with temporary funding until September, helping the community establish independent offices and develop plans that benefit both conservation and local livelihoods.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Local communities are taking ownership of conservation efforts rather than abandoning the project after external funding ended. This shift empowers Indigenous people to utilize their traditional knowledge for sustainable land management while establishing a democratic governance structure with representatives from each administrative unit. Wildlife populations, including elephants and giraffes, have already increased under the community-led conservation model. The area holds tremendous potential for cultural and ecotourism initiatives that can generate sustainable income while preserving biodiversity. This approach creates a model where conservation directly benefits local people through improved infrastructure like clinics, schools, and water facilities.
3️⃣ What’s next: Community leaders must establish a fully functioning office with adequate technical expertise and resources. The regional government plans to provide financial support by constructing an office and funding basic salaries until the TCCA generates its own income. Conservation experts emphasize the need for continued external technical assistance while the community builds capacity for long-term self-reliance.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – After USAID cut, Ethiopia’s largest community conservation area aims for self-sufficiency
