Addis Ababa, May 30, 2025 (FMC) — A high-level panel on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the integrated development of the Abay River Basin has emphasized the critical importance of CSOs engagement in upstream watershed management to protect the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) from siltation.
Opening the discussion, Aregawi Berhe, Director-General of the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation in the Construction of GERD, stressed that strengthening integrated basin development is essential for the sustainability of the dam.
He noted that all stakeholders share the responsibility of protecting GERD from siltation and that a coordinated, integrated approach in watershed development upstream is crucial for the dam’s longevity.
Aregawi highlighted that such efforts would not only extend the lifespan of the dam but also reduce land degradation and promote water conservation. He further emphasized that civil society organizations possess significant potential to contribute to these goals—provided they align their activities and collaborate effectively with government institutions.
Dr. Gete Zeleke, Director-General of the Water and Land Resource Center at Addis Ababa University, warned that without proper management of upstream catchment areas, sediment loads could accumulate downstream and compromise GERD’s long-term power generation capacity.
He pointed out that integrated watershed management upstream would help ensure cleaner and more abundant water in the dam, mitigate environmental degradation, and improve ecological productivity.
Dr. Gete also stressed the indispensable role of CSOs in advancing integrated watershed development in the Abay River Basin.
He urged CSOs participating in the Green Legacy Initiative to align their reforestation efforts with broader watershed management strategies, emphasizing the need to select sites strategically, respond to community and ecosystem needs, and prioritize the protection of remnant natural forests and indigenous trees.