APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The Government Communication Service (GCS) has said over 32 billion tree seedlings have been planted under the Green Legacy Initiative in all regions of Ethiopia.
In a statement issued on Monday, GCS said out of the total number of the tree seedlings planted over the last five years, 90 percent of them have survived.
As part of the ambitious Green Legacy Initiative to plant 50 billion trees in two phases, Ethiopia successfully planted 32.5 billion seedlings in the first phase and the first year of the second phase.
Of the 7.5 billion seedlings planted during last year’s rainy season, 57 percent were mixed forest and fruit-bearing seedlings, while the remaining 43 percent were dedicated to environmental protection and watershed development.
GCS underscored the significance of consistent natural resources and biodiversity conservation activities in building climate resilient landscapes.
Areas frequently hit by droughts are witnessing rainfall, the nation has managed to reduce risk of recurring flooding and dried streams and lakes have returned following the national environmental protection activities, according to the statement.
The Green Legacy Initiative has significantly contributed to the efforts to create job opportunities for youths and women, it was learned.
Ethiopia is prepared to plant 6.3 billion seedlings that have been raised in 132,144 nursery sites across the nation this year and 25pct of them are said to be planted at areas in the Nile River basin, according the statement.
MG/as/APA