Chato Natural Forest

Chato Natural Forest is located in the Horo -Guduru Wollega Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. This forest is part of National Forest Priority Areas (NFPAs) and has been known by the name Chato-Sangi-Dangab Forest in the country (EFAP, 1994). The forest is located in Horo District 30km north-west of Shambu town which is located at about 314 km west of Finfinne.This forest is located along altitudinal ranges between 1700 m and 2350 m a.s.l and covers an area of about 42,000 hectares, of these 18, 000 ha is the natural forest. The forest is generally characterized by rough topography with undulating plain, hills, slopes, deep valley, gorges, escarpments and dissected plateaus. Several perennial rivers such as Yamalagi River, Badessa River, Chiracho River, Jaba River and Gabar River are flowing into Garchi River by crossing the forest, all of which emerge from the highlands. It is bounded in the north by Jaba River (Jardega-Jarte district) in the west by Garchi River (Abe Dongoro district), in the southeast by Bafo-Gabar River and in the east direction by plantation (Horo district). The vegetation of Chato Natural Forest also contains a variety of wildlife including Colabus monkey, wild pig, various species of birds and mammals and reptiles. Some of the common wild life include Anubis baboon, Verbeit monkey, Porcupine, Common warthog, Africana civet cat, Leopard, Common bushbuck, Platypus. Thus, the forest is rich in fauna diversity.