Last summer, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed launched a national reforestation program set to mobilize the planting of four billion trees which could be effective through 40 tree seedlings per head.
In last year tree planting campaign, Ethiopia broke the record to plant 200 million tree saplings under the auspices of Green Legacy national project. The record passes over the campaign made by the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh that had been set a new world record after 1.5 million volunteers planted more than 66 million tree saplings in just 12 hours along the Narmada River on July 2, 2017. Last year, Ethiopia broke the record on planting 200 million tree saplings in a single day surpassing the record set by India two years before.
Many praised the planting tree project initiated by Premier Abiy as a role model for others and can mobilize the community for forestation, which has recently been ignored by the government. Last year’s campaign had covered more than 2.3 percent area of the country.
This year’s planting campaign starts with 25 million seedlings a day; and five billion trees in the whole summer season.
If Ethiopia continues to maintain the momentum of the project, most part of the forest lands will be covered with trees on the top of saving about 400 million USD per annum, which the country spends to import forest products.
Beyond the economic importance, the project would help to mitigate the impacts of climate change as Ethiopia is one the most vulnerable countries in the world. After planting, there should be a follow-up care and conservation by experts and other stakeholders to achieve the goal of the national project.
No doubt that tree has multiple purposes for both urban and rural part of the country, providing significant economic and ecological benefits. Planting trees supplies rural households with wood products for their own consumption, as well for sale, and decreases soil degradation.
Particularly in rural livelihoods, trees could decrease soil degradation. Trees can augment a household’s income through sales of wood products and can contribute to risk management by diversifying agricultural outputs and spreading risks of agricultural production failure. Eucalyptus trees, which are relatively fast growing, are profitable for farmers, and can return benefit above 20 percent.
In addition, the economic benefits are greatest when unproductive community lands (generally low quality) are used for private tree planting. Similarly, the environmental benefits are more substantial when the trees are planted on degraded land.
Moreover, planting trees is currently seen as an alternative livelihood strategy, particularly in drier areas, where drought is frequent, soils are very poor, and use of fertilizers and improved seeds is risky and less profitable. Tree planting has also significantly contributed to the production of non-timber forest products, such as honey and beeswax production. Tree planting also provides food; construction materials for traditional farm implements, houses, and household furniture; medicine; and fodder for animals.
Last year’s campaign was accompanied by a representative of the Africa Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, whose support for this ambitious action was crucial to tackle the effects of deforestation and climate change at international level.
According to the United Nations’ estimation, Ethiopia’s forest coverage has declined drastically to a low of just 4 per cent in the 2000s from 35 per cent a century earlier. Afforestation is the most effective climate change solution to date and with the new record set by Ethiopia, other African nations should take this exemplary move of Ethiopia’s green legacy.
As in last year, many African countries will hopefully be engaged in massive tree planting campaigns to reverse the declining forest cover. With the support from the UN Environment Programme, Kenya had launched the “Greening Kenya Initiative” in the previous year.
Of course, the UN Environment Programme is working with countries across the continent to replicate such initiatives to stop deforestation and increase forest cover. This is crucial in honoring African countries’ commitments to mitigate climate change and contribute to the preservation of the global ecosystem restoration.
Therefore, it is time for setting unforgettable world record through ‘Green Legacy’ Initiative. Every Ethiopians should support the green legacy initiative that eyes on planting a total of five billion indigenous trees, and then to provide care for trees at all times.
The Ethiopian herald June 6,2020
BY ZELALEM GIRMA
