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"We
will continue addressing forest
destruction" West Arsi Zone
Administrator
“We will conduct a series of awareness
raising conferences in our zone to
reduce forest destruction, the burden
upon the forests caused by illegal
settlement, agricultural expansion,
investment and human-induced forest
fire” said West Arsi zone Administrator
Ato Mustefa Kedir.
At the conference, aimed at seeking
solutions to low levels of law
enforcement, participants identified
problems affecting the conservation of
forests in the zone. The conference was
held in the zonal capital, Shashemene
town, on April 15 and 16, 2011.
“We need practical solutions. We are
losing indigenous and valuable trees. We
need both legal and administarative
solutions,” said Nensebo Woreda
Agriculture and Natural Resources Office
Vice Head Manu Eibssa.
Nensebo Woreda Forest Conservation
Taskforce members also asked elders to
collaborate with the police. “When the
police try to take corrective actions on
those who cut trees from our forest, the
elders interfere on the pretext that
they will punish the law-breakers
according to customary law” said
Yakob Wedessa.
Neighboring woreda participants have,
furthermore, shared experiences on the
significance of informed decision making
by community elders. Community
representative Kasim Jonjo said “In
Adaba Woreda the community decided that
a person who cut indigenous trees to pay
seven heads of cattle as a fine. On top
this he must face trial in the court”.
Recognising the gravity of the problem,
Ato Mustefa said that his office, in
partnership with the FARM Africa/SOS
Sahel Ethiopia Bale Eco Region
Sustainable Management Programme, Oromia
Forest and Wildlife Enterprise West Arsi
Branch Office, had organized this
conference in order to convene zonal
government officials, community leaders
and forestry experts for discussion.
The conference participants agreed that
they need to fulfill their respective
duties and responsibilities. However,
they also stressed the need to raise
awareness by holding further
conferences. The zone administrator said
his office is committed to holding more
conferences, starting in Nensebo Wereda;
and take appropriate measures to
conserve the forests and contribute to
poverty alleviation in the Zone.
He added, “Illegal settlement has
expanded agricultural land. We need to
take timely corrective measures to
discourage illegal settlement in the
forests”.
In terms of investment, the
administrator says, the zone, together
with the pertinent regional offices, has
taken decisive measures to protect
forests. Those who have been given
forest land for investment have been
evicted, having been allocated land
elsewhere.
The Director of OFWE, H.M.P Dr. Girma
Amante, has also said that Oromia Region
has decided not to allocate investment
land without the consultation of
respective OFWE offices.
In order to protect against forest fire,
the West Arsi zone has also decided to
run an awareness campaign to sensitize
the community about forest fire
prevention.
300 people representing 12 woredas of
the zone, including the community
elders, religious leaders, the zonal and
woreda cabinet members, the police
judges, prosecutors and lawyers
participated in the conference.
The West Arsi Zone, part of the Bale
massif, contains forests which are
sources of numerous rivers.
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