Bahir Dar, July 11, 2023 (AMECO) – Ethiopia has been carrying out the green legacy program, which aims to create a green and climate resilient environment. The government of Ethiopia claimed that 25 billion seedlings have been planted during the last four years.
This year’s initiative is in full swing, with 6.3 billion saplings set to be planted throughout the rainy season.
Dessie Assefa (PhD), a lecturer of forestry and research at the University of Bahir Dar, indicated in an interview with AMECO that Ethiopia will profit from the green legacy campaign in a variety of ways, both ecologically and economically.
According to the researcher, tree planting will boost percolation in the ground, which is necessary for agricultural productivity. He went on to say that it protects dams and lakes from siltation.
Dessie suggested that the government give native tree planting first priority in order to promote ecological restoration.
“Exotic tree species could be planted for commercial purposes, but for ecological restorations, indigenous trees are best,” he said.
“As an expert, my advice is that indigenous trees have already adapted the soil and the climate, so that they can grow easily. But exotic tree species need to adapt the site, it takes longer time and their survival is very poor. So we should focus on our own species. ”
Although the fact that indigenous species are rare, Dessie believes that the government should prioritize planting indigenous species.
