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Question Number 12 Arba Minch and Its Attraction
Question Number 12 Arba Minch and Its Attraction
Answer
Introduction about Arbaminch
Arba Minch (Ganta Garo) is a city and separate woreda in southern
Ethiopia; Located in the Gamo Zone of the Southern Nations,
Nationalities, and Peoples Region about 500 kilometers south of Addis
Ababa, at an elevation of 1285 meters above sea level. It is the largest
town in Gamo Zone. It is surrounded by Arba Minch Zuria woreda and
the most resourceful zone in the southern region including two large
lakes (Abaya and Chamo), more than 40 springs and Nechisar National
Park with its famous crocodile market. The area produces several fruits
including bananas, apple, mango, and avocado.
Arba Minch has been received its name from the abundantly available
local springs which produce groundwater forests. This town was
located at the base of the western side of the Great Rift Valley. Arba
Minch consists of the uptown administrative center of Shecha which is
relatively colder, 5 kilometers away from the downtown commercial
and residential areas of Sikela, and Limat near Arba Minch University's
main campus, which are connected by a paved road. On the eastern
side of Sikela is the gate to Nechisar National Park, which covers the
isthmus between Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the
south. Buses and taxis connect the uptown and downtown parts; both
parts have schools. Kulfo River flows through the town and drains into
Lake Chamo.
The 193 million birr Arba Minch Textile Mill was opened on 6 May 1992
in the presence of Ethiopian Prime Minister Tamirat Layne. The mill
would produce polyester mixed with cotton grey fabrics. According to
the SNNPR's Bureau of Finance and Economic Development, as of 2003
other amenities in Arba Minch include postal service, 24-hour electrical
service, a bank and a hospital. May 2010, the Ethiopian Roads Authority
awarded a contract worth 563 million E$ to the construction firm of
Brehane Hagos to build a road 60 kilometers in length from this town to
Belta. The United States military operated a facility at Arba Minch from
2011 until September 2015. The facility served as the base for several
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles.
Park elevations range between 1,108 and 1,650 metres (3,635 and
5,413 ft) above sea level. Nechisar National Park was established in
1974. Under the management of African Parks Network (APN since
2005, it was reportedly scheduled to hand over management to the
Ethiopian government in June 2008.
Lake Chamo.
In the lawless period at the end of the Derg rule and immediately
afterwards, Nechisar suffered much damage. Park buildings located far
from the headquarters were looted and damaged. At the same time,
the local Guji returned to their traditional grazing areas. According to
one source, they fled there from the attacks of the Borena Oromo, who
in turn were victimized by neighboring ethnic groups, their presence
degrading the environment and contributing to the local extinction of
many species. The Guji also acquired firearms during this period, and
used them to resist eviction from the park afterwards. In 2005,
Refugees International criticized their eviction. In 2005, the
management responsibility for Nechisar National Park was handed over
to APN.
The important regional centre to the park is Arba Minch in the Main
Ethiopian Rift. Approximately 15% of the park consists of lakes including
Lake Abaya in the north and Lake Chamo in the south. Part of the
habitat consists of the groundwater forest and shoreline of the lakes,
but there are also dry grassy plains. The altitude ranges from 1,108
meters above sea level at the shore of Lake Chamo to 1,650 meters on
Mount Tabala in the north-east, renowned for its hot springs.