Ethiopia has launched a digital platform for managing protected areas that is currently being tested across 106 sites, including the Bale Mountains National Park and the Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary, TV BRICS partner ENA reported.
Ethiopia’s State Minister for Tourism Seleshi Girma stated that digital wildlife monitoring plays a vital role in conserving biodiversity and developing the tourism sector, as it provides up-to-date data on animal populations and the natural landscapes of tourist destinations.
The platform combines digital, satellite, geospatial and unmanned technologies. It can act as an early-warning system, enabling authorities to respond promptly to environmental changes that could affect biodiversity. Additionally, it analyses data to predict potential conflicts of interest between different land-use practices, enabling better long-term planning for the development of the areas.
The report noted that previously, natural resource management was largely carried out manually and in a piecemeal manner with limited coverage.
The new project is designed to ensure a more systematic approach to the conservation of the country’s rich natural resources, which form an important foundation for the economy and tourism. Authorities emphasised the platform’s contribution to the development of tourist destinations, scientific research and data-driven decision-making, noting that it makes the management of protected areas more effective.
