Eritrean news: Many years ago about 30% of the total land mass of Eritrea was amazingly covered by green trees. There were numbers of wild animals roaming from here to there within the forest for it was their home and comfort zone. However, today everything is in the reverse; the ever green land of Eritrea has changed into a semidesert. Desertification nowadays has become a major concern. The continuous and sustained decline in the amount and quality of the biological productivity of arid and semi-arid lands caused by inappropriate land practices, whether or not in conjunction withextreme natural events have bore ugly results. Such stress, if continued over the long term, leads to ecological degradation and ultimately to desert like conditions. There are various factors that could contribute for the process of desertification; climatic change, population pressure, improper system of cultivation, improper irrigation system and soil erosion are some of the few. The rapid development of industries, the continuous human activities as well as the climatic changes have brought a great change in the world we all are living. Hence, desertification is becoming one of the major problems due to the changes that are witnessing thus far. Likely, Eritrea as part of the world is facing the same problem. Reports from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that with the coming of Italian colonialist’s high land forest desertification become rampant for agriculture concessions. In recognition of this the then governor general of the Italian colonial government in Eritrea had enacted legislation totally banning cutting trees anywhere in Eritrea. Nevertheless, while that prohibition was in place, contrary to the legislation, land concessions were given out to Italian nationals, witha green light to clear highland forests for the purpose of converting them to productive agriculture lands and settlement. Following the Italian control, the granting of agriculture concessions in highland forests continued to the period of the British protectorate. The Ethiopian occupiers also continued the same policy of neglect, although no clear data exist to show how much destruction was done to the environment during the period. However, it is no secret that the degree of devastation was tremendous. Withthe end of the war for liberation 1961-91, the Eritrean government found a nation totally degraded and in need of major reforestation effort. Encouraging activities related to afforestation and high land forest conservation have been taking place since independence in order to reverse the effects of deforestation. Land is the major natural resource of Eritrea; more than 70% of the people live upon agriculture and pastoralism. Nonetheless, because of the natural circumstances and the ceaseless human activities Eritrea has become to be amongst the countries withpoverty and backwardness. Apparently, the changing of climate and cutting of trees for the use of agriculture have been the main cause for the spread of desertification in the continent of Africa at large. Witha purpose to change the land into greenery the residents of the central region organized a summer campaign where different associations, communities and students were participated. During the campaign many remarkable works were done under the theme “A Greenery development through a Greenery campaign”. The campaign was carried out through out the central region witha good spirit. Expert in agriculture from the central region Mr. Michael Gebreselase said “this program is aimed at changing the land into greenery witheveryone’s effort. Thus, the trees we are planting now are for the benefit of us, the people. There is also a program withthe help of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) for honey bee production.” Mrs. Solomea Gebrselase Chairperson of NUEW of the sub zone of Serejeka on her part disclosed “we are striving very hard withfull of hope and willingness to change our land from barren into greenery. There is no development without planting trees in the country for afforestation in return helps the country too. Hence, as self-reliance is the motto of the Eritrean government we are partaking in this campaign taking this idea within each of us.” Moreover, representative of the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) Mr. Melake Amahatsion was also partaking in the activities and said “every worker is every thing-he/she is a solider, Engineer, doctor and the list go on. I, personally observe this campaign as a remarkable job I hope it will be successful. For instance, planting one tree means like constructing a home for many birds. As such, when the trees grow they would give shade; protect the land from erosion and degradation.” Moreover, the residents in the Tseserat administration area have been planting more than fifty thousand seedlings withthe same concept of changing the land into greenery. The chair person of the community of Etaro compound, Colonel Weldegeberial Misgun, expressed the aim of the activity that has been going on “the aim of such activities is to cultivate a healthy minded youth. Thus, starting from last year, we had such kinds of summer campaign program particularly for the youth. However, this activity was not confined on youthonly, parents and some members from the defense forces had also participated. The outcome is really promising and successful we can all observe the changes that are seen on our children.” Additionally, Captain Bisrat Oqubamicheal was one of the participants who disclosed that the main objective of this program is to respect the martyrs trust to develop the nation and to strive for further economic development. Thus, the work is done withfull of commitment everybody seemed enjoying their activity realizing its product. “Our defense forces are not only fighters at the battle fields they are also fighters for economic development of our country, we are witnessing this very fact in this program,” expressed Captain Bisrat. Coordinator of the program Teacher Goitom Haile explained that the program was ratified before five months but due to some technical problems it was delayed. However this delayed program has continued after a while. This program is a follow up of the government’s policy of self reliance. It’s worthy to participate in the work rather than to look from afar; therefore parents also participated to work hand in hand withtheir children. The summer campaign has played a big role in the afforestation program. For students have participated in the summer campaign they have developed a work habit, sharing experiences, each others’ support and knowing other cultures, traditions and customs. Those students were able to plant trees extensively in the region. Withregards to the students’ summer works program and the covered activities in the region, Mr. Abraham Berhe, head of the summer works program briefed that this year’s summer work is the most participated and welldone season, totaling about 5660 manpower. Above all, what makes the program stand exceptional is that the Ministry of Education has exerted a due effort to reinforce the work providing a well equipped more than 3, 000 students coupled withtheir leading teachers. So that the students were dispersed within the whole region settling in 53 camps; and yet commendable achievements have been exerted as a result, according to Mr. Abraham. Inline withthe afforestation and soil and water conservation program such a number of activities have also being employed like repairing schools and school equipments, painting, clearing office documents, and so many other activities have been accomplished. Merhawit Russom is a student from Adike School who is participating in the sub zone of GalaNefhi, she indicated that the summer program created a ground for the students to understand about the biodiversity practically as well as an atmosphere to exchange ideas among the students. Idris Said is also another student from Ibrahim Sultan School and in his words, “This program is really good, it gives me great satisfaction while I am working. It creates an opportunity to develop a work habit among us and to know the place as well as the people.”
Source: Eritrean Profile Newspaper.
Author: Rahel Asgodom
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