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  • Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve
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The people of Lake Tana

Interdependence of culture, nature and people's livelihoods

Approximately 2-3 million people live around Lake Tana and in its catchment area. Many of the communities directly depend on the lake and its resources for their livelihood.


  • The local people depend on the frtile soils ans abundant harvests of the Lake Tana region - Photo: Bruno D'Amicis

  • Religion plays an important part in the life of the people around Lake Tana – some churches date back to the 14th century (Bruno D’Amicis)

  • Ethiopian families are large – the average family has 4 or more children (Bruno D’Amicis)

  • The majority of people in the region are farmers. The local cereal ‘teff’ is the main staple - Photo: Bruno D’Amicis

  • Teff is used to prepare Injera – a very typical Ethiopian flatbread - Photo: Bruno D’Amicis

The Lake Tana region is highly productive due to its rich soil and has been cultivated and fished for thousands of years. Agriculture is the main source of income for 80% of the population, mostly subsistence smallholder farming with crops and livestock. A wide variety of crops are cultivated including sorghum, millet, rice and maize. Coffee is also an important source of income for the local population. Other sectors include tourism, fishing, livestock breeding and small businesses for manufacturing and marketing of products.



The area plays an important role in their local communities' culture and religion. The lake and its islands are home to Ethiopian Orthodox churches and monasteries dating back to the 13th century. These monasteries have a unique architectural style and have guarded their magnificent cultural treasures, art and paintings over many centuries. These churches and monasteries are surrounded by patches of natural forest that play a major role in religious practices and are holy places important for spirituality as well as providing a sanctuary for many rare and endemic plant species.


Population facts on the communities living in the future biosphere reserve
Number of inhabitants 2-3 million
Ethnic groups There are many ethnic groups found in the future biosphere reserve including the Amhara, Tigrayan, Oromo, Agew, Weyto and Qemant
Religions The majority of the inhabitants practice Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. There are also Muslims and Protestants in the area.

project overview

Hippos! The Lake Tana Watershed has a diverse wildlife - photo: Bruno D/'Amicis
Water for Life

The largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana, is a source of life for 4 million people in the region. Over the course of the last decade, however, the consequences of increased industrialization and development have been posing a threat to this vital water supply. more →

related topics

hands gently touching crops
Regional Development

NABU is comitted to promoting sustainable regional development worldwide. Our international projects always include income generating activities, which comprehensively address all three dimensions of sustainability—balancing economy, ecology and social equality. more →

Vivid exchange between our partners in Ethiopia on coffee forest conservation - photo: NABU / Svane Bender
Civil Society

Conservation needs lobbying. That's why at NABU we also take initiative to foster civil society and strengthen NGOs. We are part of the global partnership of conservation organizations like BirdLife International. With many of the partners we work togerther. more →

Lake Tana Tisisat falls along the Blue Nile - photo: Bruno D'Amicis
Protected Areas

NABU supports the creation, establishment and effective management of protected areas as part of our international activities, not exclusively but with special emphasis to UNESCO biosphere reserves, which are characterised by integrative and segregative approaches. more →

Malachite Kingfisher in Ethiopia - photo: Bruno D/'Amicis
Biodiversity

Ecosystem functioning needs to be seen as a global task: Therefore NABU is active in biodiversity hotspots and beyond. As part of the BirdLife network bird conservation has a long tradition for us. It’s efforts are directed to the whole biodiversity.
more →

German premier league soccer club VfB Stuttgart supports NABU's engagement for environmental protection and sustainability | photo: VfB Stuttgart
Cooperations

We aim to shape production sustainably and environmentally-friendly while encouraging companies towards corporate responsibility. NABU is advising entrepreneurs how to improve production, processing and sales for no-harming practices and low carbon foot print. more →

Downloads

Project flyer Lake Tana PDF (10.7 MB) Feasibilty Study PDF (5.8 MB)

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