Taking the initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), the nation is engaged in a big drive to plant billions of tree seedlings. This is an excellent initiative. For political commitment, it cannot get any better. The enthusiasm generated is truly unbelievable.Overall, the effort in reforestation and afforestation has been very sporadic. For much of its long history, the forestry sector did not have much political commitment. The little effort conducted has not been backed by good background research and suffered from a lack of follow-up, according to sources.
Nevertheless, currently, the sector has gained good political commitment from high government officials – especially the Prime Minister. Anything that is espoused by high government officials has always a better chance of implementation. No leader of this country has ever been as engaged in tree planting as Prime Minister Abiy (PhD). It is a historical opportunity to seize. There are many reasons why this campaign is indispensable.
It is stated that the first of these is the fact that it has increased people’s awareness of the benefits of environmental protection and tree planting. The motivation, gusto, and interest we observed, especially in the young have been phenomenal. We have seen people taking responsibility and planting tree seedlings in thousands in areas designated and provided by authorities. What is also good about the campaign is that it brought the importance of planting fruit trees.
“One interesting feature we observed was that some of the seedlings were bought from organized youth who have been nursing indigenous seedlings. This is very encouraging and promising. Raising indigenous seedlings is not an easy matter for that matter. And yet I have seen several young guys who presented indigenous seedlings in thousands. This is a very valuable engagement and means of livelihood for part of the youth.”
It is learnt that the most critical point is bringing home the realization that Ethiopian’s development is strongly dependent on what we do to protect our forests and afforest our degraded and barren landscapes. The survival of our dams, including and especially the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, is inseparably tied to sustainable land management of the river basins and sustainable environmental protection.
The promise of GERD is dependent on what we do now in the Choke Mountains among others. Thus governmental and non-governmental institutions as well as citizens need to work in unison and coordination for sustainable development of our forest resources.
Ethiopia is strengthening efforts to promote national voluntarism engagements and community services for nation building, Ministries said, unveiling plans to benefit about 50,000 people across the country.
The Ministry of Peace, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and Ministry of Education made the joint press briefing in connection with the summer volunteerism program which is to be held under the theme of “Volunteerism and togetherness for Ethiopia’s rise” as of 19 June.
Speaking at the occasion MoWSA State Minister Muna Ahmed recently said that the Ethiopian people in all walks of life have long been carrying out voluntarism programs on regular basis thereby enjoying notable socioeconomic development.
Since recently, the government has given prime attention to volunteerism engagements spearheading viable initiatives by identifying thematic areas including green legacy, house renovation, health, education among many other.
On his part, MoP State Minister Keiredin Tezera (PhD) stated that the initiative is an ideal soft power to bridge and address common gaps, revive common values and accelerate national development aspirations.
He added that it is also a critical scope to sustain togetherness, share common values, and solve common problems. To help this, the ministry has designed pillar trainings in areas of national identity.He has also underlined that the national voluntary community service is contributing a practical role in nation’s peace building and strengthen social bond.
Nowadays, the Green Legacy Initiative has been winning the hearts and minds of all and Sundry at home and abroad.
The Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker along with Coordinator to the Prime Minister Office on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has launched the “Ethio-Pakistan Fraternity under Green Legacy” initiative at Sialkot University, Pakistan.
In its press release sent recently to a local media, the embassy said that the Green Legacy Initiative will be instrumental for fostering fraternity between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
Ambassador Jemal and Coordinator to the Prime Minister Pakistan on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid Alam launched the initiative in presence of government officials, religious community, businessmen, academia students, civil society and media, according to the press release.
The initiative was launched as part of collaboration among the embassy of Ethiopia, Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and the University of Sialkot, it was indicated.
More than 200 plants of different indigenous species were planted under the “Ethio-Pakistan Fraternity under Green Legacy” Initiative which was followed by a climate walk in the town which was participated by a large number of people.
At present, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious campaign of planting billions of trees every year in an effort to achieve a greener and cleaner environment and tackle the adverse effects of the climate crisis.
According to information obtained from the Government Communication Service (GCS), the country has planned to plant 6.3 billion seedlings in this year’s plantation program. Out of the total amount some 25% will be planted at Abbay River water basin.
The country has planted over 32 billion seedlings as part of the initiative in all states of the country. Among the total planted seedlings, some 90% of the total well grown, as to the statement.
It is also indicated that the initiative has also been playing due role in creating jobs, enhancing animal fodder production, beekeeping, augmenting carbon sales, strengthening diplomatic engagements with neighboring countries.
Apart from addressing various implications of climate related pressing challenges, the initiative has become a means to ensure food security and garnering the green economy. The initiative has also contributed its due role towards garnering global attention and recognition.
The idea spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his participation together with other high ranking officials and community members is inspirational. The explanations linking the massive plantation programs with afforestation, minifying the impacts of flash floods, and improving the livelihood of communities should be applauded. This will undoubtedly change the attitude of citizens to plant trees and appreciate the connection with increased biodiversity and ecosystem services they provide, as learnt from apiece.
It is learnt that there was an estimate that Ethiopia’s forest coverage in the early 19th Century was about 40 percent. If we could attain that percentage at a national level, it would be great. But we should be cognizant of the fact that the current Ethiopian population is much higher and there is a need to consider that.However, the enormous enthusiasm and effort put into the plantations by the Prime Minister should be taken up by citizens across the country following the effect of coordination of regional governments up to the lowest government structure.
As Ethiopia has varied geology, topography, and climate, it will be important to plant mainly indigenous trees or shrubs or even introduced fruit trees that are adapted to grow and survive in those areas. What we plant in Addis or in areas with a similar topography and climate will be different from what we are planning to plant in Afar, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella or other parts of the country. Such plans take time and relevant government and non-governmental institutions and communities should take appropriate measures to realize these efforts in the long term.
About 90.4%.of planted trees during the fifth year’s Green Legacy Initiatives (GLI) have already grown up, according to first round monitoring of plantations by Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
MoA‘s Natural Resource Development, Conservation, Utilization, Biological Soil, Water Conservation and Combined Forest Farming Desk Head Befikadu Birhanu told in recent times the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the first round evaluation was undertaken to assess the success of plantation thus the success rate has been recorded as 90.4%.Mentioning that the evaluation is conducted twice a year, he said that this year’s plantation success surpassed the previous years.
Previously, he said the plantation success used to be around 80%. As the community engagement and their sense of ownership to the initiative have now grown, the plantation success rate has tremendously increased over the years.Moreover, he emphasized that due attention has been given to protecting and caring for planted seedlings. To this end, various awareness raising activities have been carried out to sensitize the community.
Over 32 billion seedlings have been planted since the commencement of Green Legacy Initiatives (GLI). It was learnt that the planted seedlings have the capacity to withstand climate change apart from possessing multilayered economic benefits to the community.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2024
