BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
Apart from supporting Ethiopia’s green legacy that was launched just four years ago, many international and local organizations which made their permanent seat in Addis Ababa have shown their concern through practically joining a go-green campaign to counter the effects of deforestation and climate change.
In short, these institutions understood the importance of trees and forests in mitigating the impact of climate change observed throughout the world. No one denies that the Green Legacy Initiative has greatly contributed to Ethiopia’s environmental restoration and conservation efforts.
Launched in 2019 by Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Green Legacy initiative is part of the Government’s plan to plant 20 billion seedlings by 2024. Green Legacy Initiative is aligned with the priorities of the Government of Ethiopia’s national development plan and strategy.
The Ethiopian Green Legacy is also in line with the following global initiatives (i) The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration for which many UN agencies are engaged, (ii) UNEP vision for 2020 as Super Year for nature, (iii) The Nature-based Solutions and building back better after COVID-19, (iv) global environmental agendas including Paris Agreement on climate change, the Targets on Land restoration, the post-2020 biodiversity framework, planet pillar of UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), among others.
Over the past three years, the country has gone as per the plan and achieved the target set planting trees allotted to those years. Not far, the country has launched the 4th year programme with a vision of preparing about six billion seedlings at national level, the Ministry of Agriculture said.
Agriculture Minister Omar Hussein said 60 percent of the seedlings to be planted under the green legacy program will contribute to the economy and food security. In particular, he said, the goal is to support the economy by planting a variety of fruits and vegetables which contribute to the green legacy.
According to state’s report, 5.6 billion seedlings have been prepared, he said. Experts are also monitoring the progress of overall preparations, including seedlings that are ready for planting. It is also stated that a detailed national program is being prepared for the transplantation. It is said that the green legacy that has been implemented nationwide for the past three years is showing good results. According to the Minister, out of the seedlings that are planted last year, some 80 percent have born fruits.
As climate change has impacted the global community, the efforts against it should not be left for Ethiopia alone. The world should second the endeavor, joining the effort of covering our planet with green mattress.
Especially, the lower riparian countries that have been and are getting sustainable benefit from the Nile river should be highly involved in the environmental protection works than other countries.
Accordingly, Egypt and Sudan need to provide all the necessary support to Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Program which is crucial to increase quality and sustainability of water supply, National Green Legacy Initiative Technical Committee Vice Chairman of Green Legacy Initiative Technical Committee Getachew Gizaw said.
During the past three years, Ethiopia has planted billions of seedlings.Getachew said the program has huge connection with water resources development and sustainability. “Seedlings are crucial for healthy soil and water, sustainable water supply, protection of waters from sediment and dams from flood, among others,” he noted.
According to the water expert, most lakes and rivers in the world have become history due to lack of timely protection and care. Since Ethiopia provides water for neighboring countries, especially the lower riparian countries, and is a responsible country it protects and give utmost care for water resources. This, however, requires collaborative effort of all concerned bodies, Getachew stressed.
“If there is no protection in the upper part of the water basin, it is difficult to get sufficient water supply in the lower riparian countries” Therefore, countries that highly benefit from the water basin originating from Ethiopia have to support such initiatives, the vice chairman pointed out. As Sudan and Egypt are beneficiaries of Abay River, which has the lion’s share in the Nile River flow, protecting Abay and the tributary is the responsibility of all the countries in the region.
“We have to fairly utilize Abay and fairly protect the resource together as well; and all neighboring countries in general and Egypt and Sudan in particular have to contribute their respective role in supporting Ethiopia’s Green Legacy and basin development programs.”
The water expert underscored that “the lower riparian countries have (therefore) to actively support Ethiopia’s efforts to maintain and sustain water resources in all aspects — be it idea, knowledge and finance.”
If countries follow the unwavering steps Ethiopia makes to address various environmental challenges by promoting a green culture, our planet will recover in the shortest time possible.
The Ethiopian Herald July 6/2022
