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The Environmental Impact of EBA on Ethiopia

Wubalem Tadesse

Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute

wubalem16@gmail.com

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Contents of the presentation

✓ Introduction

✓ Major Forest Resources

✓ Major Challenges In Environment and Forestry

sectors

✓ Impacts of environmental problems

✓ Opportunities for Environment and forest

sector in Ethiopia

✓ Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research

Institute

✓ Conclusion

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Ethiopia is endowed with diverse ecosystems in

which diverse flora and fauna as well as microbial

resources are found.

✓ About 6500 vascular plants are known to exist

✓ About 12 percent are endemic

✓ is center of origin as well as diversity for major

agricultural crops

✓ About 9 vegetation types are recognized

INTRODUCTION

Altitude vary, from 120 mbsl to 4,620 masl

4.620 m

1.500 m

-125 m

High lands

Low lands

INTRODUCTION contd…

Diverse agroecology

FOREST RESOURCES

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FOREST TYPES

High forests

Woodlands

Shrublands

Plantations

bamboos

The most important NTFPs in the country include:

• natural gums (gum arabic, frankincense, myrrh, etc.),

• wild coffee,

• spices and condiments,

• wild honey and bees wax,

• bamboo,

• essential oils from aromatic plants

• Medicinal plants, etc.

NTFPs in Ethiopia

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CONTRIBUTION OF THE FOREST SECTOR

✓ Contribution to poverty alleviation and enhancing food and

forest products security

✓ Contribution to the agriculture and related sectors

✓ Potential values from forest ecosystems and

environmental services

✓ Job creation and income generation opportunities

✓ Social-economic and ecological benefits

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Major challenges

Population increase

Lack of proper land use planning

Over grazing (Free grazing)

Deforestation and forest degradation (main

drivers are small-scale agricultural expansion and

fuel wood consumption)

Lack of proper commertial forest development

programs

Soil erosion and loss of agricultural productivity

Dependance on rain-fed agriculture

Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Spread of invasive alien species,

unwise use of natural resources

illegal logging and forest fires

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Major challenges

Water Pollution in urban and rural areas

Over reliance on biomass energy

Lack of access to modern energy services at the

rural areas

Inadequate waste management infrastructure

and services in urban areas

Indoor air contamination

Weak capacity in environmental management

Lack of Synchronization of natural resources,

environmental and water related issues

Vulnerability to natural disasters

Major environmental impacts

Source: NFSDP (2016)

Trend in industrial wood import bill (in USD) for wood based products in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Custom and Revenue Authority (ECRA) data (Source: NFSDP, (2016)

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

198119821983198419851986198719881990199419951996199719981999To

tal p

rod

uc

tio

n (

cu

m m

ete

r)

Year

Fig.1. Trend of domestic industrial wood production (1981 - 1999)

IUCN Red list species in

Ethiopia (selected)

B. Ogadensis (CR)

B. Pirrotae (VU)

Commiphora monoica,

(CR)

Moringa rivae (VU)

Etc….. …..

Depletion of indigenous tree species

(Vivero et al., 2005).

Cordeauxia

edulis

Vitellariaparadoxa

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Siltation in our lakes and dams

Soil ErosionSoil degradation is the most

immediate environmental problem

facing Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has one of the highest rates

of soil nutrient depletion in sub-

Saharan Africa.

it takes 500 to thousands of years

to create an inch of topsoil.

Lack of proper urban greening and Urban pollution

Environmental and water pollution

Opportunities for Environment and forest sector

Market for forest products

Carbon trading etc,

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✓ Government’s commitment (Federal and regional's)

▪ Government strategies (CRGE and GTPs)

▪ Establishment of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change

▪ REDD+ implementation

▪ Establishment of Environment and Forest Research Institute

✓ Support of international partners to forest and environment program

✓ Massive and participatory afforestation/reaforestation, soil

conservation programs

✓ Best practices on PFM and Exclosure programs

✓ Increased global concern over deforestation and climate change

✓ High demand for forest products locally & internationally

✓ National Forest Sector Development Program (10 year development

program)

Opportunities

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▪The Ethiopian Constitution provides basic and comprehensive

principles and guidelines for environmental protection and

management.

▪The Constitution states that everyone has the right to live in a

clean and healthy environment and the Government will make

every effort to provide such an environment.

▪A number of proclamations and supporting regulations were made

that contain provisions for the protection and management of the

environment which reflect the principles of the Constitution.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

▪The first comprehensive statement of Environmental Policy for the

Ethiopia was approved by the Council of Ministers in April, 1997.

▪The 'overall policy goal is to improve and enhance the health and

quality of life of all Ethiopians and to promote sustainable social

and economic development.

Opportunities (Environment)

Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute

(EEFRI)

EEFRI is established by integrating

forestry and Environment research in

December 26, 2014

EEFRI Research Centers

Mekele EFRC

Bahir Dar EFRC

Central Ethiopia EFRC)

Wood Technology RC

Jimma EFRC Hawassa EFRC

Dire Dawa EFRC

EEFRI strategy

VISION

To be a center of excellence in Environment, Forest and Climate

change research among the top five countries in Africa by 2025

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RESEARCH areas1. Plantation and Agro-forestry

2. Forest Resources Utilization

3. Ecosystem management

4. Forest Protection

5. Climate Science

6. Environmental Pollution management

7. Environment laboratory

8. Socio-economic, Policy, Extension &

Gender

9. Forest Seed

10. Biometrics, GIS and Database

Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute

Let us join hands:

for sustainable forest development,

clean environment and

climate change resilient economy !!

Conclusion

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Thank

you