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Persistence and changes in the peripheral Beles basin of Ethiopia

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Abstract

We have investigated the relevance of the notion of “peripheralism” in the Beles basin. In this lowland border area of Ethiopia, important investments require an evaluation of their socio-economic and ecological impacts in the light of Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy. We contrasted literature of different periods with field observations. In the middle and lower parts of the basin, the Gumuz people traditionally practised shifting cultivation. Resettlement of highlanders is particularly linked to water and land resources. A large irrigation project was initiated in the 1980s, but vegetables and fruits face post-harvest losses. Large water transfers from Lake Tana since 2010 affect the movement of people, the hydrogeomorphology, and ecology of the river. In several parts of the basin, the settlers’ economy now dominates. Many Gumuz became sedentary but maintained their agricultural system, particularly in the south of the lower basin. Land titling allowed allocation of “vacant” areas to transnational or domestic investors. As a result, the semi-natural vegetation is frequently replaced by open cropland, leading to decreased carbon storage and increased soil erosion. This and water abstraction for irrigation jeopardise hydropower production, in contradiction with the CRGE objectives. Despite the recent developments, the contrasts in economic activity make the core-periphery dichotomy to remain actual in the Beles basin. The resettlements and permanent cropping tend to make the upper basin part of the core. However, the installation of a transit road and commercial farms in the lower basin do not allow to consider that a non-peripheral integration has taken place.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the numerous local inhabitants and authorities who shared their knowledge with us, particularly in Pawe and Dangur districts. All participants in group discussions and group excursions to the Beles basin are thanked for sharing ideas. The Institutional University Cooperation with Bahir Dar University (BDU-IUC), funded by the Belgian authorities, through the Flemish Interuniversity Council—University Development Cooperation, hosted the research activities. Lutgart Lenaerts (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) shared inspiring thoughts and Daniel Mège (Polish Academy of Sciences) provided useful documentation. Daniel Mège as well as Eric Movet (www.mydriase.fr) gave permission to use illustrations. The constructive comments on an earlier version of this paper by two anonymous reviewers and the editor are greatly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281(S8), B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Jan Nyssen, Ben Derudder, Sofie Annys & Amaury Frankl

  2. Agricultural Office, Dangur District, Ethiopia

    Fikre Fetene

  3. Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Mekete Dessie

  4. Department of Crop Production, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Getachew Alemayehu

  5. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Amare Sewnet

  6. Department of Natural Resource Management, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Alemayehu Wassie & Enyew Adgo

  7. Department of Biology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Mulugeta Kibret

  8. Department of Geology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Kristine Walraevens

  9. Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium

    Bart Nicolai

  10. BDU-IUC Programme Support Unit, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Firew Tegegne & Enyew Adgo

  11. Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Firew Tegegne

  12. Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Steven Van Passel

  13. Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Elie Verleyen

  14. Department of Management, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Dereje Teklemariam

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  1. Jan Nyssen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Nyssen.

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Editor:Chinwe Ifejika Speranza.

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Nyssen, J., Fetene, F., Dessie, M. et al. Persistence and changes in the peripheral Beles basin of Ethiopia. Reg Environ Change 18, 2089–2104 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-1346-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-1346-2

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