The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, through its efforts in tree planting and environmental conservation, has played a vital part in mitigating climate change across the country. The church has contributed to carbon sequestration and the preservation of native tree species by building church woods and advocating the preservation of native tree species, both of which are key methods in mitigating climate change.
According to a recent research titled “THE ROLE OF CHURCH FORESTS IN AVIAN CONSERVATION: THE CASE IN TAKUSSA DISTRICT, NORTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA” by Mehariw Eristu et al (2019), Ethiopian Orthodox church forests have a significant role in biodiversity conservation. Cutting any tree within the church’s enclosure is strictly prohibited by the Ethiopian Orthodox church’s regulations and norms. As a consequence, old indigenous trees that have been completely gone in many parts of the country are still surviving within the church compounds.
Furthermore, the church’s engagement in tree planting projects and emphasis on environmental stewardship have contributed to enhancing the country’s forest cover, which is critical for minimizing the negative effects of climate change. The church’s incorporation of environmental conservation into its theological teachings develops a culture of environmental stewardship among its followers and the larger society, resulting in sustainable actions that contribute to climate change mitigation.
The development of the church forest is one of the ways the church has contributed to tree planting and preservation. These are areas of indigenous tree plants that are protected by the church and are frequently found around monasteries and churches. The church forests provide essential habitat for indigenous trees and other plant species, as well as wild animals.
Additionally, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has participated in several tree-planting efforts, urging its followers and local communities to plant and care for indigenous trees. The church has also helped to raise awareness about the necessity of protecting native tree species and their function in the ecosystem. The church has also included environmental conservation in its theological teachings and practices, emphasizing the significance of caring for the natural world and living in peace with nature.
More significantly, the church prioritizes planting, protecting, and maintaining indigenous tree species. These indigenous Ethiopian trees have several uses, such as food, medicine, building materials, and preservation of the environment. They are essential to both the ecology and the local populations’ means of subsistence.
According to Ethiopian Forest Development, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) is a model in forest management that has been at the forefront of the fight against deforestation and the multiple environmental threats to biological resources that have resulted in a significant decline in biodiversity in the country.
“One of the distinguishing characteristics of EOC, a forest management model, is the approach of collaboratively working with the local community and followers to achieve appropriate forest development. This is what has been lacking in the country’s reforestation effort. As a result, the orthodox church forests are designated as national treasures. The Orthodox Church is a critical site for preserving what is left of Ethiopia’s vanishing forest habitat. Indigenous trees and endemic plants may be found in approximately 35,000 churches and monasteries.”
Recognizing this, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church convened the Church Forest Development Conference. Christian Development Commission organized the consultative conference.
During the conference, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarch His Holiness Abune Mathias stated that “to better our earthly existence, we must plant and care for new trees seedlings instead of old plants. As a result, the church’s effort of planting and caring for indigenous trees should be strengthened”.
According to him, “Everyone should take care of and protect plants by understanding their importance in avoiding air pollution, providing food and shelter, and preventing soil erosion”. If we do not properly care for our plants, our soil will be carried away by floods, land fertility will deteriorate, and climate change will raise temperatures, causing drought and hunger. As a result, planting and caring for indigenous trees should always be our first priority so that all living beings are not exposed to the worst situation.”
His Holiness Abune Mathias pointed out that for generations, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been planting and caring for indigenous plants surrounding its church to provide shelter for the tired person and food for the needy. These plants also offer sustenance for the less fortunate. As a consequence, indigenous trees surround the church, which are critical for environmental conservation and combating climate change. Forests not only preserve the environment but also provide habitat for a variety of animals and plants.
Although the Church has made great contributions to reducing desertification via forest conservation from ancient times, forest decrease is being noticed owing to population growth and other factors. As a result, the practice of planting and caring for indigenous plants should be expanded and enhanced, he underlined.
Bishop Abune Samuel of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Development and Christian Development Commission said that several projects are being undertaken in monasteries and churches to prevent the negative effects of climate change.
Furthermore, the commission has carried out several environmental protection projects in 51 higher monasteries and churches around the country. Currently, he noted, 10 additional monasteries in various places are working hard to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change in their area.
In reality, the church has been planting seedlings to avoid the extinction of indigenous trees and is attempting to pass them on to future generations. Extensive study is being conducted, in particular, on the question of how to conserve existing indigenous forests. How might we ensure forest development in deforestation areas? How can we plant indigenous plants in desert areas? These are imperative issues to continue the work on planting and preserving indigenous trees in areas where there is little forest coverage, he stated.
Indeed, the priests of the orthodox church have been ensuring that forests stay healthy in close to 35,000 churches and monasteries which cover 75 percent of the forests in Ethiopia. The church has been effectively managing surrounding environments for a long time by using its own religious justifications.
In general, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has been a prominent stakeholder in efforts to plant and conserve indigenous trees in Ethiopia, contributing to the conservation of native trees to address climate change and protect the country’s natural environment. Its devotion to tree planting and the preservation of indigenous trees has aided the country’s efforts. As a result, it is critical to leverage the church’s extensive experience in forest protection management, environmental protection, and indigenous plant species conservation and preservation.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald November 19/2023
