Chebera Churchura Elephant Paw Lodge, a world-class national park, was inaugurated on Saturday by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The park is located in the South West of Ethiopia and harbors the endangered African elephant species, as well as buffalo, wild boar, deer, and antelope, among other animals.
The Koysha Hydroelectric project, which is a part of the Dine for Nation Project, has implemented a range of initiatives to promote tourism in the park and maximize benefits for the local population. These activities include the development of infrastructure to facilitate tourist visits, the government media reported.
During the park's inauguration,the Minister of Mines, Engineer Habtamu Tegegn, highlighted that the national park is one of the projects initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed two years ago. According to him, extensive efforts have been made to transform the park into a major tourist destination in Africa.
The park was built with the aim of providing world-class facilities and comprehensive tourism services, the minister added.
Moreover, Negash Wagesho, the Deputy Chief Administrator of the South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region, stated that the operating tourism sites have not only preserved the natural balance, but also created opportunities for wealth generation.