Reflections of Various Sections of the Society In Planting Millions of Saplings In 12 Hours

BY SOLOMON DIBABA

Speaking during tree planting campaign in Oromia region today, Awelu Abdi, Vice President of Oromia regional state remarked that nurturing the seedlings is as important as planting them. He added that the public need to nurture the planted trees in an organized manner to ensure a fruitful result thereby meeting the principal objectives of the National Green Legacy Initiative. Samplings that can be used for fodder for livestock have been planted. He noted that through the implementation of Green Legacy Initiative conducted in the region over the last four years, marked efforts have been made in reducing deforestation and promoting agricultural productivity. He stressed that in as much as we have cooperated in planting the seedlings; we need to make the necessary care for them. Planted trees must be protected from human and animal encroachment. 

Saada Abdurahiman, Spokesperson of Oromia Council said that apart from serving as a decisive tool for climate change mitigation, trees are living resources for the coming generation and it is incumbent upon the public to rally in millions to plant the seedlings. She added that the first round of the second phase of planting trees in the region has been successfully launched in all the zones and districts in the region. 

She also said that the successful implementation of the pervious program of tree planting has been instrumental in promoting environmental conservation schemes, enhancing agricultural production and productivity. According to her, planting trees have helped to rehabilitate the degraded ecosystem in the country and has fostered unity and love among the participants and the larger public. She hailed the relentless efforts made by the population in the region in joining hands in planting millions of trees from dawn to dusk. She also remarked that the population in the region should give all the necessary support for the ongoing summer voluntary services. 

In the same vein, Almaz Gezhu, Deputy Head of the Bureau of Agriculture of Amhara Region said that along with organizing the orderly system of planting millions of trees in a single day in the region, her bureau has encoded information on 1,900 tree planting sites in the region by using the latest technological innovations so that users can have access to any information regarding tree planting process in the region. She also said that the bureau has deployed professionals to record the number of participants in each site, the size of areas planted with trees and the number of trees planted by using computer aided software. She also said with the outcome of the tree planting consecutive campaigns conducted in the region, the intensity of soil salinity has been reduced by 23% and total forest coverage has stood 16% 

 

Speaking on occasion of planting seedlings in Somali regional state, President of Somali Region, Mustafe Mohammed said that the trees planted will improve the balance of the ecosystem in the region, drought resistant and are economically viable. He said that it is necessary to improve the ecosystem in the region as a means to improve and resist the effects of climate change. The program we launched today of planting millions of trees in 12 hours  is crucial for our survival and therefore we need to do everything to upgrade their sprouting rate by nurturing them in all sites in which trees are planted.

Engineer Habtamu Etefa, Minister of Water and Energy on the occasion said that planting trees have been instrumental in rejuvenating water bodies. He mentioned the revival observed on El Bayahe Dam is a concrete example for this.

Omoud Ojulu, President of Gambela Region stated that trees are of crucial importance to rehabilitate degraded area and ensure food security in the region. Apart from economic viability, trees, particularly fruit samplings planted in the region will help to enhance the Lemat Trufat (Banquet of food) campaign as has already witnessed in the region. He said that the entire population in the region has been mobilized to take part on the tree planting day long campaign.

 

Engineer Negash Wagesho, President of South West Region said that the Green Legacy Initiative will directly benefit community members and will add more value to the experience they have in tree planting in their respective communities. He said the population in the region has longer experience in benefiting from forest resources and the ongoing tree planting program will add more value to their pervious knowledge and benefits. He also mentioned that the Green Legacy Initiative should be further strengthened in the coming years. He added that there are a number of protected forests in the region and said the campaign will help to keep for the normalcy of rainfall seasons and pattern. He also said that apart from forest resources, community members in the region are benefiting from planting coffee trees to increase their income. He noted that efforts underway in the region will help to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change across the world. 

Tsegay Mamo, whip of the regional Government of South West Ethiopia Region, said that Ethiopia is contributing to the global efforts of reducing of the effects of climate change across the world. He said planting trees will help to improve soil fertility and retain soil moisture. He further said that planting trees is a means of promoting our livelihood and existence. He noted that planting millions of trees in 12 hours will reverse the image of the country which was known for famine and food shortage.

 

Desta Ledamo President of the Sidama Regional State said that planting trees will help to enhance our livelihood and said that the trees planted today will provide us with clean air, food and shelter. He encouraged the population in the region to do their best in planting millions of trees in a single day during this rainy season. 

Fathers of Gamo hailed the Green Legacy Initiative noting the efforts we are undertaking is to defeat poverty and destitution and pass on better life for our children and this must continue in a faster momentum.

Dokele, one of the Gamo fathers said that the exemplary efforts we have made in promoting peace in the country must be repeated by planting trees in our communities.

Bonke Dirgo who is also a Gamo Father said that the fathers are planting trees to help mitigate the effects of climate change and to enhance farming production and productivity. Planting trees is vital for peace making, reconciliation and promotion of friendship. He added, if we don’t maintain soil fertility today, we will endanger the livelihood of the coming generation.

 

Women across the country were in forefront in the tree planting campaign conducted for a day long in different parts of the country.

Etenu Negussie, a resident in Sekota Town, Wagimira Special Administration said that planting trees is of vital importance for growth and development. She came to the tree planting site with her baby on her back to participate in the tree planting program in her village. She said it is our obligation as citizens to transfer healthy habitat for our children.

Fantanesh Mengistu, who also planted seedlings in Sekota said apart from restoring the rugged landscape with trees in our area, planting trees is of vital importance for beautifying our towns. I will do my best to ensure that the trees I planted today will be transferred to my children and grand children to ensure their wellbeing. She also said that we need to establish viable recreational areas for our children.

Ethiopia has made history by planting over 566 million tree seedlings today, 17 July, 2023, from dawn to dusk, breaking its own record, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced this evening. 

The premier congratulated Ethiopians who participated in planting the seedlings. The plan to plant 500 million seedlings from sun rise to sun set was exceeded by over 66 million, it was learned. 

 

Millions of Ethiopians responded to the call of Prime Minister Abiy to make history again by planting half a billion seedlings across the nation starting from 6 am this morning.