Chebera Churchura National Park is a national park located in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region in the south west of Ethiopia. The park was founded by the regional government in 2005.
The park covers 1,250 km2 and contains four types of habitat. Most of the park, 62%, is wooded grassland dominated by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), with montane woodland comprising 29% and woodland and riparian forest the rest. 37 species of large mammal, including African elephants, have been recorded in the park, and 237 species of bird.
Philip Briggs suggests that the present-day town “might prosaically be described as a traffic circle of comically vast dimensions, surrounded by a solitary petrol station and a scattering of local hotels.” According to the SNNPR’s Bureau of Finance and Economic Development, as of 2003 Konso’s amenities include digital telephone access, postal service, electricity provided by a generator, and a branch of a microfinance organization. Local industries include beekeeping, cotton weaving, and agriculture. The market is held on Mondays and Thursdays at a point 2 kilometers from town along the Jinka Road.
A permaculture farm, Strawberry Fields Eco-Lodge, was founded in 2007 north of town and works with international volunteers and three local schools to grow food, promote ecotourism, and provide permaculture education.
