Journals Information
Natural Resources and Conservation Vol. 2(4), pp. 51 - 58
DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2014.020401
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Socio-economic Impacts of Bahir Dar Tannery: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Fitsum Dechasa Kibret *, Fikirte Demissie Tulu
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on Bahir Dar Tannery, to assess its socio-economic impacts and examine the level at which the tannery implemented EIA recommended mitigation measures. To achieve the objectives of this research primary data was collected from different group. A total of 100 household heads who reside near the tannery; 100 workers and one technical manager of the tannery; and three officers of Environmental Protection Agency were consulted. As a labor based export oriented industry the tannery is beneficial for the surrounding community by creating employment opportunity and for the country at large by generating foreign currency. Despite such benefits, due to the absence of proper waste treatment and disposal system and inadequate safety equipments, the tannery is causing adverse impacts on the workers and the community. The tannery disposes its solid and liquid wastes, with little if any treatment, to the nearby Abbay (Blue Nile) river which is the main source of water for the surrounding community. Hence, the community is exposed to different health hazards like asthma and water related diseases. Their domestic animals are also adversely affected as they usually drink the river water. Although Bahir Dar tannery established before the endorsement of Ethiopia鈥檚 EIA proclamation (Proclamation No 299/2000), the tannery is expected to have adjustments to make its activities environmentally friendly. Intervention programs of the tannery should, therefore, aim at implementing a proper and more efficient waste treatment and disposal system.
KEYWORDS
Socio-economic Impact, Tannery, Environmentally Friendly, Mitigation Measures, Waste Disposal
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Fitsum Dechasa Kibret , Fikirte Demissie Tulu , "Socio-economic Impacts of Bahir Dar Tannery: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia," Natural Resources and Conservation, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 51 - 58, 2014. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2014.020401.
(b). APA Format:
Fitsum Dechasa Kibret , Fikirte Demissie Tulu (2014). Socio-economic Impacts of Bahir Dar Tannery: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Natural Resources and Conservation, 2(4), 51 - 58. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2014.020401.