The Desa’a Forest is one of the oldest remaining dry afromontane forests in Ethiopia, and the largest in Tigray and Afar. Directly threatened by desertification, 74% of the Desa’a forest has already disappeared and the remaining 26% are already severely degraded; it is a priority area for conservation by the Ethiopian government. Over 26,000 people that live here below the poverty line; growing crops and farm livestock, they rely completely on the forest for water, energy and to feed their cattle. Agricultural land is scarce with low soil fertility; landlessness particularly affects the youth and the most vulnerable households in the community. The immediate consequence of degradation is erosion of topsoil and the significant reduction of agricultural yields for the smallholders. This is leading to a vicious circle between increasing poverty and forest resources depletion. Even more alarming is the possible long-term impact on local cloud formation and rainfall, causing more frequent droughts and food insecurity. WeForest is working with the local Tigray government to restore thousands of hectares each year. The small area of intact forest is protected and now a precious seed bank for the restoration of surrounding area; local nurseries grow and supply seedlings, communities are engaged in planting, maintenance and assist in building soil and water conservation structures. In return for their participation they receive equipment, training and support to develop new forest-friendly livelihoods such as beekeeping, poultry and small ruminants that will both protect the forest and support the resilience of local communities.
Tigray Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development
The Federal Republic of Ethiopia Commission of Environment Forest and Climate Change
Tigray Plan and Finance
Ethiopia Environment and Forest Research institute
Restore native forest
Promote economic development
Build livelihood resilience
Latest Project News
Why is intervention needed?
The Desa’a forest reserve is home to many threatened species with an important function for climate mitigation and adaptation as well as water supply in a region directly threatened by desertification coming from the North and from the East. Currently, 74% of the forest has disappeared and the remaining 26% are severely degraded. The immediate consequence is erosion of topsoil and the significant reduction of agricultural yields for the smallholder farmers. Even more alarming is the possible long-term impact on local cloud formation and rainfall, causing more frequent droughts and food insecurity.
WeForest is working since 2016 to directly restore and protect over 40,000 ha of this forest through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) and Enrichment Planting. We select those species that serve multiple purposes to the forest and the communities, generating a combination of social, economic and environmental benefits. Examples are the Olive (Olea europaea), Juniper (Juniperus procera) and Briar Root (Erica arborea), which are combined with different grass species for fodder and reduce erosion. Furthermore soil and water conservation structures are built to reduce run-offs and improve soil infiltration.
By combining forest restoration with livelihood improvement programmes, we focus on improving the natural resource governance and the socio-economic resilience of communities living in and around the forest, with a special focus on women, landless, subsistence farmers and youth. Examples of activities are: beekeeping, poultry, sheep, high value trees and vegetable seeds,efficient cookstoves, solar lights, employment of forest guards, as well as the establishment and strengthening of rural schools’ environmental clubs.
* Carbon calculation methodology
The total above-ground and below-ground biomass is estimated to average a sequestration of 158 tons of CO2 per hectare over a period of 50 years.