The potential of Developing Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) in Lake Hashenge and its Environs, Southern Tigray-Ethiopia.
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Date
2013-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The development of CBET gives financial incentives for the conservation of natural areas,
economic benefits for the local residents and it strengthens the social wellbeing of the local
inhabitants. Thus, the study was conducted to reveal the potentials of Lake Hashenge and its
environs for CBET development and to highlight the role of developing CBET in mounting the
economy, empowering the local communities and bringing promising environmental
conservation practices in the study area. The study is descriptive in its design and has
implemented both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The principal instruments
used to collect the necessary data were questionnaires, interviews, observations and
document analysis. While an in-depth interview has been made with offiCials of different
government and non governmental offices, 150 questionnaires were distributed to and
collected from the local communities living in four Kebeles. The gathered essentials are
interpreted and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis strategies.
Results of the study shows that though Lake Hashenge and its environs have different
opportunities to develop CBET, i.e. the existence of multifaceted attractions, i.e. natural,
historical, cultural and archaeological resources, accessibility to these resources, good
location, promising governmental policies, and the existence of active and interactive local
communities, the area is not yet developed and its precious resources are facing different
problems. Therefore, effective, efficient and practical training on tourism and tourism related
businesses has to be given to the local communities, administrators and other experts in the
study area to build memorandum of understanding between tourism stakeholders to work
hand in hand in developing infrastructures, facilities and inaugurating CBET projects in Lake
Hashenge so as to create alternative means of livelihoods to the local communities,
strengthen the social wellbeing and preserve the environment sustainably.
Key Words: CBET, Environmental Conservation, Alternative Livelihood, Lake Hashenge.
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Keywords
CBET, Environmental Conservation, Alternative Livelihood, Lake Hashenge