Satellite photographs show how the Gib 3 Dam, which is being built on the Omo River in Ethiopia, is causing the river to dry up, resulting in harm to hundreds of thousands of natives from about ten tribes, who live in the lower Omo Valley on both sides of the border (Ethiopia-Kenya) and around Lake Turkana.
In the past, I wrote about the need to integrate environmental (and human) considerations in the planning and construction of dams, considerations that will stand up against the (short-term) economic considerations. I emphasized the need to consider the natural environment as well as the human inhabitants who are harmed by the construction of the dams.
Elsewhere I mentioned the "hidden colonialism" that occurs when entrepreneurs from foreign countries purchase huge areas in African countries, areas that are intended for food crops or fuel for countries that do not have enough areas to satisfy the needs of their residents. The one that stands out in the takeover process is China, but European countries and the USA also participate in the celebration. The two topics are connected: the construction of dams and covert colonialism.
Satellite photographs show how the Gib 3 Dam, which is being built on the Omo River in Ethiopia, is causing the river to dry up, resulting in harm to hundreds of thousands of natives from about ten tribes, who live in the lower Omo Valley on both sides of the border (Ethiopia-Kenya) and around Lake Turkana. The people of these tribes subsist on small farms, grazing sheep and cattle and fishing.
Foreign entrepreneurs have purchased or leased tens of thousands of dunams in the northern part of the lower Omo Valley (Ethiopia), with the aim of growing fruit trees and plants to produce biofuel, water is needed to irrigate the vast areas. The water supply will be done by diverting the Omo River to irrigation canals that are dug in the area. The diversion will be carried out under a huge dam that will block the river, the dam was built about 200 km north of the mouth of the Omo to Lake Turkana (Kenya). Obviously, for the purpose of such a project, it is necessary to obtain permits from the Ethiopian government, which turned out not to be a difficult task, since the entrepreneurs convinced the government that through the dam they would generate electricity that would be supplied to millions of residents. In a country where only 15% of the residents have electricity. It is clear to everyone that such a promise opens doors and removes barriers.
The lower part of the Omo River was declared and recognized by UNESCO as an international heritage site, because of the biological wealth and more so because of the multitude of tribes and cultures. Seasonal floods carry nutrients and enrich the soil, which enables seasonal agriculture. Travelers arrive in the area after a long and arduous journey and appreciate the uniqueness of the Omo Valley and its surroundings.
Since the 3s, the region has been affected by long periods of drought to such an extent that following the construction of the dam, the river can be crossed in low water. Since the Umo is the main source of water that feeds Lake Turkana, and because of the drought - the water level in the lake dropped by XNUMX meters.
According to a group that reviews the natural resources and water sources in Africa, the African Resources Working Group (ARWG), the dam will cause an additional drop of about 7 meters within five years. Also, the dam will stop the seasonal floods that feed the channel and lake.
The builders of the dam, as well as the authorities who gave their consent, are aware of at least some of the problems the dam will cause, and therefore the developers have committed to "release water that will simulate seasonal floods ten days every year." Let's remember that the seasonal (natural) floods occur twice a year for several weeks.
The residents of the area who are affected by the river tilting were promised food supply and compensation. Residents who show resistance are forcibly evicted and their cattle are confiscated.
Managers of bodies for the protection of human rights and the preservation of nature say that "the Ethiopian government lends its hand to the destruction of the Omo Valley and harm to the livelihood of tens of thousands of natives, all in the name of 'development'. It is forbidden to ignore the human and environmental cost in Hatit Kor Haim with a lack of consideration."
According to international laws, there is an obligation to inform and consult with those who may be harmed by ventures. According to the developers, "in preparation for the construction of the dam, representatives of the tribes were invited to consultations", it turns out that the natives, eighty and a half million people, were represented by 93 "representatives" chosen by the developers after the works were already underway. According to an organization that examines the vulnerability of the natives Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) the "representatives" mostly did not understand the entrepreneurs and were not understood by the entrepreneurs!
According to "Friends of Lake Turkana" (FoLT), a Kenyan organization that represents groups of indigenous people in northwestern Kenya: "The dam will cause serious damage to the biological diversity, livelihood and nutritional security of thousands of indigenous people."
Although the dam promises "benefits" (such as electricity), the price for the natives and the natural environment may be high and dangerous.
12 תגובות
I understand this good man in a few years he will go to Ethiopia he will not have aromatic people to visit
Asaf
An interesting article, although it lacks a deeper detail regarding the environmental and human consequences. I was in Ethiopia last summer and I also visited the beautiful Omo Valley, which surpasses all imagination when it comes to its scenery and people. It should be understood that Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in East Africa, with a population of over 82,000,000 (!) people and a per capita income of 870. For comparison, its neighbor is Uganda, with a population of 32,710,000 and a per capita income of 1,140 (according to WHO data). Such a project (if properly managed) can contribute a lot to Ethiopia's economy. Among the Ethiopian people, this project inspired a lot of hope for a better future. I'm a declared environmentalist, but for me it's about losing a limb to save the patient.
The best way to feel more comfortable is to accept that we are part of nature
There are predators and prey, parasites and hosts that rule and are ruled.
If you agreed, you already feel more comfortable.
You forgot the Aswan Dam, which flooded areas in Sudan and forced hundreds of thousands of Nubians to abandon their homes, the dam severely damaged fishing along the coast of Israel, the Nile brought foodstuffs to the sea before it was blocked by the dam, but when it comes to Muslim Arabs, it is not pleasant to oppose.
The fact that the Chinese have the upper hand is not surprising to anyone, such an article could have been published just as well when the words Ethiopian and Kenyan tribes are replaced by the words Chinese villages. At the same time, if electricity is indeed provided to millions of people in Ethiopia, this must definitely be put on the scales, meaning, there is not necessarily an unequivocal injustice here.
Even before I entered, I knew that this was an article that implies that the past is a bad thing, that tribalism (as in Ethiopia) is a positive thing, and that inanimate objects ("the environment") are more important than people.
Could it be that I have powers that science cannot explain?
ש
The same thing happened in China. Money and vested interests rule the dome!
what are you worried about
They will install pipes and sell the water to them at affordable prices
serious
No way?! It's just conspiracies of delusional people who invent facts like mushrooms after the rain!
All corporations only want our best. If it weren't for them we wouldn't be living in the age of abundance of tablets and iPhones and tomatoes that are worth their weight in gold.
In light of the amazing findings that suggest the possibility that forces with clear economic interests are operating on Earth without any regard for nature, its inhabitants and resources, I decided at the last minute to publish an article that is also just as amazing, there are thick hints that the sun around the Earth is producing heat.