Strong cooperatives needed to prevent forest destruction!
By EsubalewDires
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Dubaba kebele, which is located to the North of Quara, is around 90 km away from the capital of the woreda- Gelego. Dubaba kebele residents are migrants composed from 24 different woredas due to settlement. A young farmer Tesfahun Sitot is a resident at the locality of Mirt Gelego in Dubaba kebele. The farmer is married and has got a son. He moved from South Wollo Zone, Meqdela Woreda at a village named Chingua to Quarra due to a legal settlement in 1997. Farmer Tesfahun described Dubaba and its surrounding as it was covered by dense forest and inhabited by a large variety of indigenous plant and animal species. Over the past 10 years, natural forests are greatly diminishing. As a result,, animals living in the forest like monkey, antelope, boars, deer, lion, leopard etc migrated due to lack of shelter.
Natural forest destruction and animal migration are mainly caused by a significant population growth, development of construction, timber and charcoal production, the expansion of agricultural land.
Since 2014, ORDA studied and delineated forest cover of the area with active involvement of the community. Currently, farmers are organized in participatory forest management system. "Aferach Dokmit Natural Resources, Tourism and Marketing Cooperatives" containing a total of 150 HHs (34 FHHs) are established in Quara woreda Mirt Gelego kebele. We found some members protecting mountainous areas of Muday, Afar/Abashagna and Mirt Gelego. This time, we paused him to tell us the contribution of ORDA. Farmer Tesfahun then, replied “incense and gum has been produced by rich merchants from outside the region for longer years. Thus, we didn’t benefit from the natural resource. Now, the intervention of ORDA in the area assisted farmers to form cooperatives and get benefited from the resource. We are well trained when and how to tap incense. We have already started to produce and use the resources wisely. The project helped 133 bee hives with the necessary equipments. We are also supported to transfer 18 beehives from traditional to modern in order to enhance production.” ORDA also provides the cooperative corrugated iron, nails, balance and other materials to a store building and office uses.
Besides, the project organized jobless youths and women and it helped them fully engage in the construction of fuel saving stove. Hence, beneficiaries are generating income to improve their livelihood.
Improved crop varieties of sorghum (Girana & Gobeye) and sesame (humera-1) has been delivered to target beneficiaries.
Asech, Dir Mariam, Kebtelie are kebeles of Jawi woreda delineated under ORDA/ protection and sustainable management of natural forest cover in West Amhara. Asech kebele is a home of many species of trees, animals and birds. Unique and old species of trees are inhabited in this area. This unique old tree locally named “Wardi Farda.” is a giant and multipurpose tree which maintains ecology of the environment and can be used as a shelter from the sun. In this case, ORDA’s intervention played indispensable role in saving a dramatically deteriorating species. Attitude of the community towards protection and sustainable management is progressing through time. They know that a person who cuts trees will be charged. To strengthen “Yetigil Ferie Natural Resource, Tourism and Marketing Cooperatives" was established by ORDA.
Farmer Tefera Beyene, an activist for protection of natural resources & member of the cooperative originally came from the highlands of Dangila during his early childhood. He is now a 60 year old adult. He noted “During the 1960’s, I used to come with my dad to feed forage for animals. In that time, Jawi area was terrifying for its cover of thick trees, shrubs and grasses. But, now history is changed that natural forest cover is highly reduced due to human activity. We are missing our resources and nothing in hands to transfer for the next generation. For this reason, ORDA prepared project proposal to protect and maintain natural forest cover of West Amhara.” Now, ORDA in collaboration with ANRS and funding partners delineated and are protecting and maintaining remains of forest cover in the region.
The members have started keeping the natural resources and engaged in income generating activities. Women are engaged in manufacturing efficient fuel saving stoves. Beneficiary farmers are also practicing beekeeping. The project delivered user groups apiary equipments (48 modern hives, 17 transitional beehives, honey filter, clothing), seedlings of fruits and improved crop varieties. Hence, the project has been achieving its double targets in improving the life of farmers and sustainably maintaining & keeping the resources at the same time.
A joint effort is really crucial among the concerned stakeholders basically agriculture, environmental protection, cooperatives promotion, tourism and parks development, finance, justice and administrative bodies. So, our message is short and clear: Let’s work together to maintain the irreversible natural resources we have today!!