Indigenous communities in the Lower Omo River Valley of southwestern Ethiopia have taken ownership and management responsibilities of the Tama Wildlife Reserve through the creation of the Tama Community Conservation Area (TCCA). The TCCA, spanning 197,000 hectares (486,000 acres), is Ethiopia’s largest community conservation area. ADDIS ABABA — Indigenous communities in the Lower Omo River Valley of southwestern Ethiopia have taken ownership and management responsibilities of what is now Ethiopia’s largest community conservation area, the Tama Community Conservation Area (TCCA). This legislation aims to ensure the sustainable use and preservation of Tama’s ecological and cultural heritage by entrusting this duty to the Indigenous communities. “I was 12 years old when the advocacy for turning Tama into a community conservation area began,” said Barkede, now 26-years-old.

Source: Ethiopian News June 13, 2023 15:10 UTC