Ethiopia, the land of extremes, is one of the richest countries across the globe to be home of highly diversified plant species. Its rigorous topography ranging from the lowest point, Dalol, to the highest peak of RasDashen at 4620 meters, the weather and climate conditions with extreme range of ice cold to the hottest, makes the nation lucky enough to host every species of plants native to such ranging conditions. According to ongoing arguments, nation has over 6500-7500 species of plants, of which over 600 are endemic ones.
However, we have witnessed limitations to properly harness and utilize the sector and sources show that a significant number of these species are under serious threat of extinction. Cognizant of the threat posed on the biosphere and our natural resources, particularly, plants, nation has been taking corrective policy, institutional and strategic measures.
The Gullele Botanic Garden, which was established by the Addis Ababa City Government Council in 2009 by proclamation number 18/2002, is one of the showcases forstates firm commitment to the sector. The garden is located north of the capital on some 705 hectare of land. The Garden has been established to meet four pillars, namely: conserving endangered species, conducting researches on natural resources and environmental conservation, rendering practical biosphere science education for educational institutions and delivering eco-tourism service.
According to Fekadu Assefa, Deputy Director of the establishment, the botanic garden aspires to be the bank of plant species along with other eco friendly services. They collect species across the nation from the five climate zones namely the hot, arid zone (bereha), the warm to hot, semiarid zone (kola),the warm to cool, semi-humid zone(woyinadega),the cool to cold humid zone (dega) and the cold, moist temperate zone (wurch).
“We collect Plant species by engaging the indigenous community from the hot, arid zone, the warm to hot, semi-arid zone, the warm to cool, semi-humid zone, the cool to cold humid zone and the cold, moist temperate zone.” As to him, the institution has been awarded an international accreditation in 2017 for its effort and commitment to realize its set goals.
As to the deputy, they have already made over 420 hectares of land free of migrant plants in a bid to make the garden hub of native species. One of the sound priorities of the garden is delivering practical education on the field for students at any level.As to him, over 45,667 students got practical education over the past five years while the garden plans to give practical education support to 15,000 this year alone. Besides, awareness has been created to significant number of people residing nearby about the importance of natural conservation.
The deputy further underscored that every single action in the garden is highly required to be natural friendly. “Everything here is done carefully to ensure that it is natural friendly. Look at the constructions, all of them are made from naturally available imputes such as wood, clay and mud. We are supplementing solar energy while every material is recyclable.” Birhanu Belay(PhD), Research and Development Director at the garden, on his turn emphasizes that the garden collects endogenous plant species from all weather and climate zones of unique humidity and temperature and acclimatize them with support of green house effect.
“This green house effect has eight chambers with fogger automatic readjustment so as to acclimate with the humidity and temperature condition of the species’ native habitat. The species will stay here till it accustomed to the new atmosphere, and gradually taken to the garden upon adaptation.” Briefing on how they collect species, he said that, they prioritize to endemic, endangered and economically valued species.
“We have over 6500- 7500 species nationwide,but priority is given for endangered and highly threatened species to extinction.” As to Birhanu, the area is showing incredible revitalization following the day today conservation and afforestation works. Recalling how the area was highly degraded, he added that, the area is now covered by wetland and small river sources. Yared Getahun, the Garden’s Communication Head, on his turn said that the garden has three parts; namely, modern cultivated garden, scenic forest and reserved forest.
The modern cultivated garden is fully infrastructural furnished and widely open to any interested visitor. This part of the garden, as to him, will serve eco friendly tourism services such as wedding, film recording and other recreational services. The scenic forest area will be partially infrastructure furnished and open for practical educational service. The reserved forest will be highly restricted one and will be used to see how nature succeeds by itself. This area is forbidden to visitors and infrastructural facilities. Overall, the garden aims to be the place where anyone interested to see what the nation is endowed with plant species and lack the opportunity to visit each native habitat of the species pay visit to.
Herald January 2/2019
BY DESALEGN AYNALEM
