ADDIS ABABA – In a major reforestation push, the Tigray State Soil and Natural Resources Bureau announced preparations are underway to plant over 35 million tree seedlings during the upcoming rainy season.
It is said that the initiative is a part of efforts to combat deforestation and restore degraded lands.
According to the Bureau Natural Resource and Forest Conservation Director Tesfaye Teklehaymanot, the initiative is part of a broader plan to plant over 71 million seedlings across 214 districts during the current Ethiopian fiscal year. With more than 35 million seedlings already ready for planting, the bureau has achieved 49% of its annual target.
“The planting sites have been selected and protected in advance,” Tesfaye told The Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA). “We have prioritized indigenous species as well as fruit-bearing and fodder plants to support both biodiversity and livelihoods.”
Despite budget constraints, the director noted that the seedling preparation this year is significantly better organized than in previous years. The involvement of non-governmental organizations has played a crucial role in supporting the procurement and preparation of the seedlings.
Tesfaye added that licensed organizations operating in the natural resource sector will align their activities with government plans to ensure coordinated environmental restoration.
Tigray has faced extensive deforestation over the past decades due to conflict, land degradation, and climate-related pressures. The state is now focusing on large-scale afforestation and reforestation programs, guided by scientific research and community engagement.
“Our approach is rooted in local participation and a sense of ownership,” Tesfaye emphasized. “Reclaiming our environment requires coordinated efforts at every level.”
The bureau hopes that the current campaign will mark a turning point in reversing ecological damage and building climate resilience in the state.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 11 MAY 2025
