Within two decades, the story of Rwanda has totally changed. The issue of ethnic cleansing has become a lesson not only to the Rwandese but also to the world. Rwanda does not only impress the world with its political stability and tolerance, it has also become a model nation in area of green development and other sectors as well. Several media have reported how the nation has shown progress in its development and it is even called a Giant East African country for the economic transformation it registered within short period. Its green fields have caught the attention of global media and it is accorded positive response from all over the world.
The transformation of Rwanda in its economic, political and green development can be a good lesson to Ethiopia. The current efforts of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in areas of green development and attempt to clean dirt areas are a good initiation. Planting tree seedling and cleaning rubbish areas is also a symbol of cleaning mental closest from all negative and dirt thoughts from the heart of every individual.
Recently, I was reading an article written by my friends about the current seedling planting initiatives by the government and individuals. After reading to that article my mind took me back to the time of Emperor Meninlk`s era. Despite the fact that modernization and the issue of deforestation was at its infant era, Emperor Menelik had been busy of planting eucalyptus trees that are adorable to the nation.
Following the foundation of Addis as a capital city, the need for fire wood and construction material was in great demand. Seeing this, the visionary leader [Menelik] had imported and planted those eucalyptus trees. Despite the fact that several years have passed since the visionary Menelik II has passed away, the trees that represent him and his courageous moves are still visible in Addis and on the outskirt of Addis.
Well, in those times the country was not threatened by deforestation and climate change was not a matter of threat. However, the farsighted king had something in his mind. He was not thinking only his era. He was thinking the years that come ahead of him. When he planted a tree in the 19th century, he has already seen the 21st century Ethiopia. That is why he planted those trees.
We are now found in 2019 where the issue of deforestation is becoming hot agenda all over the world. It is affecting the globe with an alarming rate. Seeing this, several activists and organizations are doing their level best to recover the mother earth from its pain.
As the saying goes “Think locally and act globally” Ethiopia is also doing its level best in this regard. The effort of the government to plant seedlings is a good example in this regard. This had been practiced at the individual as well as group level. Currently, Prime Minister Abiy has taken the leading role in planting trees all over the country. Using the National Green Development Program (NGDP) that aims at planting four billion trees throughout Ethiopia, The Premier along with others are planting those trees to signifies better future and better hope.
Over the past years Ethiopia’s forest coverage has decreased (in recent years) and the initiative is set to mobilize national reforestation at 40 trees per head. Since the dawn of Ethiopian millennium, million seedlings have been planted all over the country. Some have become trees and while others have dried out. Failure to look after those tree seedlings is a major challenge.
It is well understood that nothing is easy to start. The most challenging thing is to finish what is started. Trees are like little children. The more we protect them the stronger they become. The more we forget them, the more we loss them. In this regard, hand in hand with planting trees it is also the responsibility of every Ethiopian to watch over those seedlings.
The Ethiopian Herald, June 12/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
