Ethiopian Forests
Ethiopia is home to beautiful forests full of a variety of trees. The country depends on its forests for fuel, shelter, and resources including coffee and frankincense.
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Although their forests are a prized resource, Ethiopia has suffered significant deforestation that threatens them.
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Deforestation and Restoration Efforts
Emerging from heavy demand for forest resources, Ethiopia's forests have dwindled in recent years. Cutting mass numbers of trees at a time for construction and fuel are the main reasons for its depleted forests (Tamene). Deforestation leads to problems such as erosion, heavy carbon emissions, poor air quality, loss of habitat for a variety of species, and desertification.
The Ethiopian government has pledged to restore 22 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2030, and is currently implementing policies that protect both the environment and the livelihoods of communities that depend on the forests (Evans). The management plans are flexible, and allow communities to replant trees in degraded areas in any method they are most comfortable with.
In addition to governmental action, religion is a factor in restoring Ethiopia's natural forests. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which has over 40 million members, depends upon forests surrounding its churches (Tadese). Community-built walls have been created by religious volunteers around the church forests to protect the resources inside.
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Local Life
80% of Ethiopia is rural (Tadese). In Ethiopian rural communities, men are responsible for agricultural practices and livestock management while women take care of household chores and childcare ("Rural Life...").
Most of the residents in the countryside live in poverty, mainly relying on agricultural profits and the selling of livestock for their income. These communities can suffer from the effects of deforestation, as it causes erosion that pollutes waterways and ruins irrigation systems required for agriculture. Forest restoration is helping to improve the livelihoods of rural areas that are dependent upon farming.
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Common Destinations
Ethiopia isn't just known for its forests: it also has many relics and exciting tourist spots that draw people to the country. In 2015, the European Council on Tourism and Trade deemed Ethiopia the world's best destination for tourists (Yogerst). Here's why.
Lalibela, Ethiopia is home to Ethiopian Christian churches built in the 1200s. These "cave churches" were structured from huge slabs of stone stacked atop one another to form columns, doors, and windows ("Rock-Hewn Churches"). Ethiopia was a place of pilgrimage in the thirteenth century and today for Christian missionaries who founded Ethiopian Christianity.
Gondar, also known as "Ethiopian Camelot", is a city containing many old cities and castles ("Gondar"). Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia while Emperor Fasilidas ruled the country. Under his control, a series of grand castles were erected and still stand to this day.
Works Cited
Evans, Monica. "Ethiopia's new forestry law: A win for landscapes and livelihoods?" Forests News, 20 Aug. 2018, forestsnews.cifor.org/57465/ethiopias-new-forestry-law-a-win-for-landscapes-and-livelihoods?fnl=en.
“Gondar.” Ethiovisit, 2018, www.ethiovisit.com/gondar/38/.
“Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, United Nations, 2008, whc.unesco.org/en/list/18/.
“Rural Life in Ethiopia.” Rainbow for the Future, Rainbow for the Future, 2018, rainbowftf.ngo/the-ethiopians/life-in-ethiopia/.
Tadese, Maheder Haileselassie. “Land Restoration Makes Progress in Ethiopia.” Mongabay, Conservation News, 1 Nov. 2018, news.mongabay.com/2018/10/land-restoration-makes-progress-in-ethiopia/.
Tamene, Abebech. “Ethiopia Struggling to Cope with Deforestation.” Anadolu Agency, 21 Mar. 2016, www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/ethiopia-struggling-to-cope-with-deforestation/541174.
Yogerst, Joe. “Ethiopia Is the Hot New Place in Africa -- Here's Why.” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Aug. 2017, www.cnn.com/travel/article/ethiopia-africa-travel-next-big-thing/index.html.
“Gondar.” Ethiovisit, 2018, www.ethiovisit.com/gondar/38/.
“Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, United Nations, 2008, whc.unesco.org/en/list/18/.
“Rural Life in Ethiopia.” Rainbow for the Future, Rainbow for the Future, 2018, rainbowftf.ngo/the-ethiopians/life-in-ethiopia/.
Tadese, Maheder Haileselassie. “Land Restoration Makes Progress in Ethiopia.” Mongabay, Conservation News, 1 Nov. 2018, news.mongabay.com/2018/10/land-restoration-makes-progress-in-ethiopia/.
Tamene, Abebech. “Ethiopia Struggling to Cope with Deforestation.” Anadolu Agency, 21 Mar. 2016, www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/ethiopia-struggling-to-cope-with-deforestation/541174.
Yogerst, Joe. “Ethiopia Is the Hot New Place in Africa -- Here's Why.” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Aug. 2017, www.cnn.com/travel/article/ethiopia-africa-travel-next-big-thing/index.html.