Current status and integrated restoration approaches in Haramaya Lake Watershed development

Lake Haramaya, a critical watershed in Ethiopia, has experienced severe degradation due to climate variability, anthropogenic activities, and land-use changes. This study employs the Drivers Pressures State Impact Response (DPSIR) framework to assess the lake’s status, identify restoration strategies, and propose sustainable management interventions. Restoration efforts emphasize ecological rehabilitation, management, and protection through afforestation, erosion control, and land-use planning. Community engagement and integration of traditional knowledge play crucial roles in long-term conservation. While recent recovery efforts have led to partial restoration, ongoing challenges such as siltation, water pollution, and unregulated land use threaten sustainability. To ensure long-term restoration success, future initiatives should prioritize advanced hydrological modelling, climate-smart agricultural practices, and strengthened policy enforcement. Expanding wetland monitoring programs using remote sensing and geospatial technologies will enhance the early detection of environmental changes. Additionally, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration among governmental bodies, research institutions, and local communities will improve resource governance and ecological resilience. A robust legal framework is also essential to regulate land use and water extraction, preventing further degradation.