PROMOTING ETFF AND TREE PLANTING EVENT IN BALE MOUNTAIN, SOUTHEAST ETHIOPIA

AUGUST 2007

Report prepared by ETFF Ethiopia

 

The beautiful and evergreen Bale Region

Ethiopia is endowed with a wide variations in climate, topography and soils, as the result the country is one of the few countries in Africa where virtually all major types of natural vegetation are represented, ranging from thorny bushes to tropical forests and to mountain grasslands (Annonymous, 2000). The vascular plant species in Ethiopia is estimated between 6 and 7 thousand of which 12% are endemic. The inventory report of the high forest priority area by Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research (IBCR) has indicated that there are about 1017 woody species out of which about 300 are trees (Taye Bekele, 2003).

Though debated in various forum, some sources indicate that about 35 - 40 percent of the country's land area was covered with high forests at the turn of the 19-century (Britenbach, 1961). However, rapid population growth (3 percent per year), extensive forest clearing for cultivation and over-grazing, movement of political centers, and exploitation of forests for fuelwood and construction materials without replanting has reduced the forest area of the country to 16 percent in the 1950's and 3.1 percent in 1982 (UNEP, 1983).

Cutting trees for wood burning continues to have detrimental effect

The massive removal of the forests has resulted in land degradation and loss of biodiversity. The risk of extinction is amplified by recurrent episodes of drought. Annual rate of deforestation in Ethiopia is estimated between 150,0000-200,000 ha (EFAP, 1994). The destruction of woody vegetation which is followed by the tragic drought of 1968-73 in the Sahel that repeated itself in the mid 80’s is typical example of the consequence of crossing threshold of resource tolerance under mounting pressure (FAO, 1989). Soil degradation is the most immediate environmental problem facing Ethiopia. The loss of soil and the deterioration in fertility, moisture storage capacity and structure of the remaining soils, all reduce the country's agricultural productivity. Soil erosion is greatest on cultivated land where the average annual loss is 42 tons per hectare, compared to 5 tons per hectare from pastures. As a result, almost half of the loss of soil comes from land under cultivation even though they cover only 13 percent of the country. Not surprisingly, the highest average rates of soil loss are from former cultivated lands currently unproductive due to degradation and with very little vegetative cover (Hurni, 1990). It has already been realized that the consequences of soil impoverishment are directly linked to the amount of money invested for purchasing fertilizers or crop failure due to nutrient deficiency (Legesse Negash, 1994). There are also a number of reports on drying up of perennial rivers due to deforestation, which is coasting the local community walking long distance in search of water (BMNP, 2006).

65% of the high forest priority areas of Ethiopia are found in Oromia region. The current rate of deforestation in the region is estimated between 50,000 and 100,000 ha per annum. Recent report has indicated that there is no high forest in 11of the 32 of high forest priority area of the region. Moreover, the composition, structure and the physiognomy of the forest is under serious threat (IBC, 2003, Yoseph Assefa, 2004). There is no high forest in 11 of the 38 high forest areas of the region. 13 of the pristine forests in the region are changed to the degraded status and the 5 degraded forests are now converted to highly degraded forests (IBC, 2003).

Description of the area
The Bale Mountain is found in Ormia regional state in southeast Ethiopia. It belongs to Arsi-Bale massif which forms the western section of the southeastern Ethiopian highlands. As a particular feature of the southern part of the mountain has distinct altitudinal vegetation zonations that ranges from Combretem/Terminalia (1500 m asl) woodland to giant heather and bamboo in less than 60 km. Bale Mountain is known for its floral and faunal diversity as well as endemicity (Friis, 1986; Hedberg, 1986; Masresha Fetene, et al.,2005), in addition to its socioeconomic importance and value as a genetic reservoir. In contrast to the northern highlands, southern Ethiopia falls within the East African climatic domain, which is influenced during the larger part of the year by south-easterlies originating over the Indian Ocean. As in most Ethiopian highlands, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), plus altitudinal and topographic influences also affect the distribution of the precipitation in the Bale Mountains. Annual rainfall ranges between 600-1500 (2000) mm depending on the relief. The average temperature for Goba is 13.1 o C

The Bale Mountain national Park which is stretched on 220,000 ha is the largest national park in the country. According to Hillman (1986) there are at least 50 mammals, 180 birds and 14 amphibian species among which more than 20% of mammals and 8% birds and 78% of amphibians are endemic to the country. Later Hillman (1993) found that the number to be higher, 66 mammals and 262 bird species (30.4% of 861 species in Ethiopia). According to Yalden (1983) 52.4% of mammals 60% of birds and 35 5% of frogs that are endemic to the country are found in Bale mountains. The area is a breeding ground for Eurasian species, such as the Golden Eagle, the ruddy shelduck and choughs. Bale is the only known breeding population of Watled crane outside South Africa. In addition, it is an important over-wintering ground or passage station for migrants from Eurasia, particularly passerines and waterfowls.

Bale is also a source for more than 40 rivers including the five major rivers (Wabe Shebele, Genale, Welemel, Dumal, and Yadot) and many streams Two (Melka Wakena and Yadot) of these rivers are used for hydroelectric power. The rivers are also sources of water for about 12 million people including the Somali lowlands.

Despite the hydrological, biological and cultural importance of the area both nationally and globally, the mountain is under serious threat. Several reasons were identified that accelerate the rate of degradation of the area (increase in settlements, change of government, the increase in demand for grazing land, lack of financial resources, political interest and technical knowledge). Human settlement and cultivation which was rare in 1970, is very common now. An area of about 10,000 ha inside the park is used for agriculture (IBC, 2003). Currently, the livestock population within the park estimated to be about 168,300 (BMNP, 2006).

The ten year draft management plan of Bale Mountain National Park calls for concerted effort of all stakeholders and collaborators in the country in alleviating and implementing of the management plan. Therefore participating in such global priority conservation activities agrees with both the mandate and objective of the foundation. Establishment of forest plantations to provide timber and construction materials, and fuel wood is very high priority in this mountain. Encouraging farmers and small landowners to be involved in tree growing scheme will help them generate income for the households (Badege, 2004).

Participation of the rural and urban people in tree planting and conservation of the natural forests is very important to achieve the required out come. Involving farmers and local people who live around the forests in tree planting and natural resource management is critical for conservation and development of forestry. This can be done through a participatory process where farmers and local people are involved in planning, design and implementation of the management plan. This exchange of information and partnership will help to build confidence and to reassure all that the program are relevant to their needs and ensures that they have a sense of responsibility towards the project.

 

Tree Planting in Bale

The current project is designed as a stepping stone towards achieving the set objectives of ETFF on this line. On light of this purpose the study will have the following objectives

Project Objectives:

• Sensitizing the various stakeholders on threat and opportunities of the forest and resource of the area.
• To encourage the involvement of the local community on the conservation and sustainable utilization of the forests of Bale mountains
• To inculcate the notion of conservation activities that will employ the most vibrant and creative segment of the population

Major activities and achievements

The focus of the project were exercising and exploring creative conservation and management approaches that fit for the area. This was done parallel with raising the awareness of the various stakeholders and collaborators on sustainable utilization of the natural resources. These major activities on the planting day include:

Tree Planting Event:

After a series of negotiation and meeting with various stakeholders and collaborators a tree planting event were organized on the last week of Hamle in Goba town. The tree planting event were advertized in schools and colleges of Goba via nature clubs and banners that had been posted in two selected sites in the town.

The vent was organized in Collaboration with zonal office Ministry of Agriculture (natural resource department), Ato Adane (a resident in Goba town who is involved in raising and didtrubuting seedlings and landscaping in Goba town and Bale beauty and nature club). colleges and high school students, the police, civil servants and Residents of Goba townwere actively aprticpate in the planting event. A brochure was distributed for more than 400 participants on planting and caring of seedlings’ followed by a brief demonstration on how to transplant the seedlings. This was done to prevent in correct transplanting of seedlings that was occurring very often.

According to the result found from species scoring matrix nation wide by Institute of Biodiversity and Conservation (IBCR), the Kosso tree (Hagenia abyssinica) and the African pencil Cedar (Juniperus procera) are also on the top list of the most threatened woody species in the country (IBCR, 2003).

Since the site selected for the tree planting event were already prepared three weeks before the planting date.2100 seedlings of Hagenia abyssinica and Juniperus procera were planted along Togona River near the water reservoir of the town. Fencing and other caring activities were postponed for the coming October and January based on the recommendation from regional agriculture office.

After transplanting the seedling A contest (quiz on nature conservation and sustainable utilization) among nature clubs in college, high school and nature clubs in town were conducted. Certificate of participation and awards were given to participants and winners respectively. Participants were briefed on the mission and objectives of ETFF. Afruitfull discussion were conducted with various stakeholders and collaborators separately and in group.

Lessons learned

• From the current event it was clearly demonstrated that it was not too late to make a difference and that there are people waiting for us to work with them. As most of our problems are indigenous, there a number of indigenous solution (“A poor man solution for the poor man problem”). Coordination between various organizations at local and gross roots level is imperative to bring lasing positive changes,There are a number of initiatives by the local people to address this very challenging issue. As it is mentioned in mission and vision the objectives it is the duty and responsibility of the ETFF to mobilize this scattered efforts in a more effective and efficient way. Moreover, it has time for the ETFF to join hands the nation wide conservation efforts nationwide and globally.
• There is a great potential for creating Beauty Zone and Parks as demonstrated by the Bale youth Nature Club. Individuals like Ato Adane and Ato Assefa are key persons for creating a Social Movement to mobilize the public and bring about sustainable change in Rural Ethiopia.
• There is a very strong demand for support in a very practical way by contributing financially, technically and materially to such local efforts and forming nucleus organizations.
• There are ready groups and individuals who can take the case of ETFF further to the public provided they are given the critical minimum support.
• Working with local Government, institutions, colleges and the public in a coordinated manner is the key and building block to be successful with any project.
  

Way Forward

As it is mentioned in the previous sections it is a great opportunity for ETFF to fulfill its objectives at grass root level. There is a nationwide green movement in Ethiopia in relation with the Ethiopian new millennium. The concern of most conservationists is on the sustainability of this campaign. ETFF can fill this gap by mobilizing financial and human resources towards sustain these efforts. However, these demand unreserved effort from the foundation and strong commitment of all members of ETFF in achieving its objectives that has already been laid on the ground.

By the same token one can also predict the reverse effect if a timely action is not taken. Unless those initiatives are consolidated and strengthen ETFF might suffer from losing its repetition. Moreover, the local people lose interest in collaborating with other conservation organization. Other similar conservation measures.