GLI Bringing Displaced Wildlife Back Home, Authority Says

Addis Ababa, July 3, 2026 (ENA) — The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) says Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) is restoring degraded ecosystems, enabling displaced wildlife to return to their natural habitats while improving biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience across the country.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, EWCA Director General Kumara Wakjira said the nationwide tree planting campaign has produced visible environmental gains in areas where vegetation has been restored.

According to the director general, the initiative has played a significant role in preserving bio-diversity, restoring ecological balance, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Kumara said protected areas and wildlife habitats, including Lake Abijatta Shalla National Park, are showing encouraging signs of recovery.

While bird species that had disappeared from the area have also been observed again, Lake Abijatta is being repopulated with new animals like the Kola Agazen, he added.

"The restoration of forests and vegetation is recreating natural habitats for wildlife and allowing ecosystems to recover," he said.

The director general also emphasized the initiative's contribution to restoring critical water resources.

He explained that Lake Abijatta, whose water level had fallen dramatically in previous years, is gradually recovering, with surrounding wetlands also showing significant improvement.

He added that environmental restoration efforts have also reduced the frequency and severity of wildfires in the Semien Mountains, helping to protect one of the country's most important ecosystems.

Kumara noted that habitat destruction remains one of the greatest threats to wildlife in Ethiopia, stressing that forests and natural vegetation provide essential shelter and food for animals.

By rehabilitating degraded landscapes and expanding forest cover, the GLI is rebuilding wildlife habitats and creating conditions for biodiversity to flourish, he said.

Since its launch in 2019, Ethiopia has planted more than 48 billion seedlings, increasing its forest coverage from about 17 percent to 23 percent while reinforcing its commitment to environmental protection and climate action.