09/06/2026
Balancing Beauty and Biodiversity: A Call to Protect Lake Hawassa
The recent plan for a lakeside green corridor around Lake Hawassa is a welcome and important initiative. Good planning is essential 'failing to plan is planning to fail'. Change is inevitable, but without proper guidance, it can harm the environment.
Hawassa has grown rapidly over the past fifty years, changing from farmland into one of Ethiopia’s leading cities. While this urban development is impressive and well-planned for people, the master plan has not given enough attention to the health of the lake and its waterfront.
One positive point is that the natural buffer zone around the lake has largely remained protected, mainly because of seasonal flooding. When I was a child, a full mountain ridge was used to protect the city from heavy rains and floods.
As an environmental planner who wrote my thesis on Hawassa’s waterfront development, I would like to offer practical recommendations to support the green corridor plan while protecting the lake.
Key Priorities Before Development
We must first study the lake and shoreline ecology carefully. Lake Hawassa supports more than 80 species of birds, over five species of fish, and many shoreline animals. Any landscape design should protect and improve habitats for these species, not just create spaces for people.
We also need to restore the lake’s main tributary, the Tikur Wuha River, along with the upstream watershed and the Chefe wetland. Recent information shows the wetland has been almost completely overtaken by settlements. The Oromia and Sidama regions must work together to protect the entire watershed. Establishing at least a 1 km buffer zone will help wildlife, birds, and water quality by reducing fertilizer runoff and silt from surrounding farmlands.
Another major concern is urban pollution from lakeside developments, sewage, drainage, and industrial waste. Before creating attractive scenery, we must protect the natural features that make Lake Hawassa special. My observations and studies show that wildlife has suffered serious damage. For example, the protected forest near the city entrance which I visited in 2014 — was a vital refuge for birds and other animals. When I visited last month, most trees had been cut down, destroying nesting sites and threatening the survival of many species.
Tourists come to Lake Hawassa mainly to enjoy its unique birds and natural beauty, not just fancy city parks. We must protect this billion-birr ecosystem before investing large sums in development.
Practical Recommendations
Here are some clear, nature-focused suggestions for designers and developers:
1. Prioritise nature first. Development should support the lake’s health, not harm it.
2. Design for coexistence.Create spaces where people and wildlife can both thrive, rather than focusing only on human needs.
3. Maintain natural buffer zones and green belts. Leave some areas free of heavy landscaping so nature can continue to function.
4. Take the big picture. Treat Mount Alamura, Mount Tabor, the surrounding hills, and the lake as one connected system. Use afforestation, slope protection, and area closures to prevent harmful settlement and support ecological balance.
5. Improve waste management. Build natural reservoirs and wastewater treatment systems for the city instead of allowing waste to flow into the lake.
6. Use permeable materials.Design walkways and structures that allow water to soak into the ground to reduce flooding.
7. Protect habitats. Every design decision should consider the needs of birds, fish, and other wildlife.
8. Limit high-rise buildings along the waterfront. Keep the area open to allow natural airflow from the lake to the city. Plan developments so that many places can enjoy shared views of the lake.
9. Regional cooperation. The Oromia and Sidama regions must work together to protect the whole ecosystem, because nature does not follow political boundaries.
By following these steps, we can create a green corridor that improves the city while preserving Lake Hawassa’s natural beauty and ecological health for future generations. Protecting the lake is not just an environmental duty — it is essential for the long-term success of Hawassa itself.
