Ethiopia's Natural Resources Protection Efforts Exemplary: India's Ambassador

Addis Ababa, October 29, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia's commitment to safeguarding its natural resources and environment has been recognized as exemplary on a global scale, India's Ambassador to Ethiopia Anil Kumar Rai said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, he stated that Ethiopia's initiatives in environmental protection can be regarded as an international model.

He pointed out the significance of Ethiopia's conservation efforts, which not only enhance the country's forest coverage but also promote biodiversity.

The Ambassador highlighted Ethiopia's unique geographical features, including the lowest point on earth, the Danakil Depression in the Afar region, and the Rift Valley, which boasts distinct climatic conditions.

‘‘Ethiopia is blessed with diverse climatic conditions and that is the reason it has a very big diversity in terms of wildlife and the natural habitations. It starts with the lowest point on the earth in Danakil depression coming to the Rift Valley which has its own unique climatic condition and forestry; whereas you have highlands which are lush green and receives one of the highest rainfall. So, if we see it in totality Ethiopia is doing quite a remarkable work in conservation of its natural resources’’, Ambassador Rai remarked.

He further cited programs like the Green Legacy Initiative and extensive development projects as highly beneficial for Ethiopia's future prosperity.

He commended the attention given to ensuring the survival of planted trees and expressed confidence that Ethiopia will witness significant transformations in the coming decade as a result of this initiative.

‘‘Green legacy is one of its unique project where billions of trees has been planted, and from my experience of staying in Addis Ababa and participating in the Green Legacy initiative I see that the movement for bringing greenery in all parts of this country is remarkable.

"India has (also) started a movement by the name International Big Cat Alliance in 2021, and Ethiopia is the founding member of that.’’

Through that international cooperation, India and the other members including Ethiopia want to create an ecosystem where the big cats like tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah are preserved, he elaborated, adding that if these animals are preserved then automatically the ecosystem will be restored.

According to the Ambassador, India admires Ethiopia's endeavors regarding natural resource management, affirming that both countries share a commitment to protecting these vital resources.

He recalled the mutual agreement between India and Ethiopia on natural resource conservation and confirmed that this collaboration will continue to strengthen.

Ambassador Rai noted that Ethiopia's efforts, particularly through the Green Legacy initiative, have significantly reduced the migration of birds and wildlife.