Environmental Planning and Management in North SHOA: An Integrate Assessment in Gedemsa Watershed of the Blue Nile Basin

The main objective of this research project was to prepare a sustainable resource utilization plan based on an environmental assessment of the Gedemsawatershed of the Blue Nile Basin. The study has been carried out using geospatial technologies in conjunction with quantitative methods. The biophysical and socio economic data derived from satellite imagery, topographic maps, land and soil surveys, observation and reviewing reports to produce planning units and alternative development options were used. As a result, three planning units were created and developed as planning unit I, Planning unit II and planning unit III. Accordingly, planning unit I comprised 20.4% of the study area and it was characterized by steep slope, shallow soil depth, and wurch agro climatic zone and with some eucalyptus plantation coverage. This sub unit was delineated for environmental rehabilitation and natural resource conservation site. Planning unit II comprised 42.1% of the study area and it was characterized by moderate slope, intermediate soil depth, Dega and Wurch agro climatic zone and with agricultural activities, grass land and settlements. This sub unit was ideal site for dairy farming activities and range land. Planning unit III included 37.5% of the study area that characterized by gentle slope, high soil depth, Dega agro climatic zone and with traditional irrigation practices. This sub unit was ideal site for modern agricultural activities. Moreover, since the study area was located at the upper catchment of the Blue Nile Basin, it should be well conserved and rehabilitated in order to minimize soil erosion, increase the discharge amount of streams and reduce the massive sediments in the lower catchment of the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia. Therefore, in order to alleviate the present environmental and socio-economic problems in the country particularly in the watershed, any development activity needs to be done based on environmental planning. SSDI should be developed for integration work.