There’s been a lot of talk about harmful water hyacinth, locally called Emboch, that invaded most of the Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes water and what it means for the surrounding populations that share the lake. One of the lakes infested with the water hyacinth is the Lake Ziway (or known as Batu Dembel), third-largest of the seven Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes. Covering a 434 sq km, the freshwater ecosystem is reputed for its prolific birdlife and rich fish fauna. It is also home to a small resident population of hippos. Five volcanic islands dot Lake Ziway’s surface, with hiking trails, forests, and ancient monasteries to discover. The largest of the five islands on Lake Ziway is known as Tullo Guddo, the site of the ancient hilltop monastery, which reputedly housed the Ark of the Covenant for over seventy years in the 9th century. The monastery houses several illuminated fourteenth-century Geez manuscripts.

Ethiopia Observer spoke with Ziway Lake Tourist Guide Associations Chairperson, Abule Tumuni about the harmful weed that has been thriving for the past two years. Abule says that solid waste in the form of trash, litter, garbage, mostly originating from the surrounding farms,  is the main factor in the thriving of the invasive aquatic plant. Urgent measures need to be implemented to remove it, he said. Abule said communities around the lakeshore are facing an unpredictable future should the weed which has invaded around seven km of the shore continues to flourish. You can view the video broadcast (Amharic) on Ethiopia Observer’s YouTube page.