SALALE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRIBUSINESS AND VALUE CHAIN
MANAGEMENT
A REVIEW ON THE IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION ON ETHIOPIAN
ECONOMY
A SENIOR SEMINAR SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRIBUSINESS AND VALUE CHAIN MANAGEMENT

BY: (ID NUMBER: RU0780/13)

ADVISOR: (MSc)

APRIL, 2023
FITCHE, ETHIOPIA
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to thank God. For his help in the successful completion of
this paper. Next, I would like to extend thanks to advisor, Bekalu W. (MSc) who
sacrifices his time more than expected work time for advising and guiding us about
all formats of the seminar project. Thanks also go to our coordinator of the seminar
course Sena A. (MSc). And also, I would like to extend thanks to Salale University,
the College of Agriculture, and Natural resource workers who provide additional
service to write this Seminar project.
 TABLE CONTENTS
Contents page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................................................................... i
TABLE CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. ii
LIST OF TABLE .................................................................................................................................. iii
ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................... iv
ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................... v
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background of Study ................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Justification of the Seminar ........................................................................................................ 2
1.3. Objectives .................................................................................................................................... 2
1.3.1. General Objective................................................................................................................. 2
1.3.2. Specific Objectives ............................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Significance of the Seminar ......................................................................................................... 2
2. LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................................. 4
2.1. Theoretical Review ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.1. 1. Concepts on Deforestation .................................................................................................. 4
2.1.2. Environmental Impact ......................................................................................................... 5
2.1.3. Ways of preventing deforestation......................................................................................... 6
2.1.4. Strategies for Reduce and Prevent Deforestation ............................................................... 6
2.1.5. Impact of land degradation on crop production ................................................................. 9
2.1.6. Cause of land Degradation ................................................................................................. 10
2.1.7. Economic Impact ................................................................................................................ 11
2.1.8. Effects of Deforestation on the Environment .................................................................... 11
2.2. Empirical Review ...................................................................................................................... 12
3. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ............................................................................... 14
3.1. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 14
3.2. Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 15
4. REFERENCE .................................................................................................................................. 17
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1 GDP by sector (in million birrs).............................................................................................. 10

 ABBREVIATIONS

CIFOR Center for International Forest Research

CO2 Carbon dioxide

EA Environmental Assessment

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMA Ethiopian Management Acceleration

GDP Gross Domestic Product

HK Hector

NFPAs National Forest Priority Areas

NTFPs Non-Timber Forest Products

PFM Participatory Forest Management

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

GNP Gross National Product

POTD Program of Tropical Deforestation

TGE Transitional Government of Ethiopia

 ABSTRACT

Deforestation, land degradation, and soil erosion are serious problems in Ethiopia. To overcome
these problems, efforts have been made to start forestation and conservation programs; success
to date however has been limited. Social and policy issues such as local participation in natural
resource management and the existence of clear land and tree tenure policies are critical for the
long-term sustainability and expansion of forests in Ethiopia. Increasing public awareness
through education about forestry and natural resource conservation is vital for maintaining
Ethiopia's remaining natural forest and biodiversity. A forest can play a role in reducing land
pressure and land degradation, but forestry alone cannot solve this problem. Even if the
management of existing forest resources is improved new trees and forests are established, this
may prove unsuccessful if high population growth rates continue to increase the need for crop
and grazing land. Agro-forestry and social forestry practices, plantation, forestry, and
conservation of the remaining forest are proposed as a strategy for physical recovery. Using the
land for forestry to improve soil fertility or rehabilitate and conserve the environment will be
viewed as secondary to using the land for cropping and grazing to meet immediate survival
needs. In general, tree planting through agro-forestry and social forestry should be an integral
part of rural development programs to provide the community with food, fuel wood, income, and
environmental benefits. Attempts to alleviate land degradation are therefore, critically dependent
on efforts to deal with the main cause of land degradation, namely population growth, low
agricultural productivity, and high dependency on fuel wood, dung, and crop residues as a
source of household energy.

Keywords: Causes, Deforestation, Ethiopia, Impacts, land degradation.

 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Deforestation in Ethiopia is due to clearing forests for personal needs, such as for fuel, hunting,
agriculture, and religious reasons. The main causes of deforestation in Ethiopia are shifting
agriculture, and rapid population growth which leads to an increase in the demand for crops,
grazing land, and livestock production (Tegaye Tadesse forestry's contribution to employment is
undocumented). Ethiopia has the second largest population in Africa and has been hit by famine
many times due to rain shortages and depletion of natural resources. Deforestation may have
further lowered the already meager rainfall. (Sucoff, E. 2017). Growing populations are
increasing deforestation which is leading the country to famine. As the population continues to
grow, the needs of the people increase.

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and its poverty and land and resource
degradation seem to be part and parcel of the same vicious circle (MOA). The supreme irony is
that Ethiopia is actually a country with a very diverse environment and rich biodiversity unique
ecosystem Ethiopia relies on its diverse biological resources for its socio-economic development,
and these resources are now under severe pressure. According to Ethiopia's Ministry of
Agriculture in 2017 38% of the population lives below the poverty line, 34%of the rural
population has access to an adequate water source, and the average life expectancy is low at 59
years deforestation in Ethiopia is due to locals clearing forests for their personal needs, such as
for fuel, hunting, agriculture. (Gessesse Dessie 2017)

The main causes of deforestation in Ethiopia are shifting agriculture, livestock production, and
fuel in drier areas. Because of the complex nature of the problem of deforestation, the Ethiopian
government alone is not able to prevent deforestation. The current government of Ethiopia and
the people are working hard together to make their country a better place. This is a complex
phenomenon and can be viewed from different {disciplinary} perspectives. Our viewpoint is that
it has a direct impact at the local level on the quality of life in diverse parts of the world. Despite
the many problems of deforestation in Ethiopia, there are still examples of well-managed and
preserved forests and trees in various parts of the country. the orthodox church, for example, has
maintained forest cover on its property for a long period of time. (Bekele T. 2015)

1.2. Justification of the seminar

Deforestation in Ethiopia is due to clearing forests for their personal needs, such as for fuel,
hunting, agriculture, and also religious reasons. The main causes of deforestation in Ethiopia are
shifting agriculture, livestock production, and fuel in drier areas. Deforestation is the process of
removing the forest ecosystem by cutting the trees and changing the shape of the land to suit
different uses. Deforestation, accelerated soil erosion, and land degradation are serious problems
in Ethiopia. To overcome these problems, efforts have been made to launch afforestation and
conservation programs; however, success to date has been limited.

1.3. Objectives

1.3.1. General objective

The general objective of this seminar paper is to review the impact of deforestation on the
Ethiopian economy.
1.3.2. Specific objectives

 To review the impact of deforestation on economic growth.

 To review the ways of recovering deforestation and land degradation that impacts the
Ethiopian economy.
 To review the strategies for reducing and preventing deforestation.

1.4 Significance of the Seminar

The major significances that are expected from reviewing this seminar are as follows. It will
bring the proper management systems for the natural and plantation forest. It will help us to
promote the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources to meet local and national needs
through; encouraging local communities, investors and NGOs to manage, protect and restore
forest resources and land for the benefit of present and future generations. It will bring some
solutions for the problems and lack less that would hinder the economic development of natural
forests. The review may give a clue to society and investors about the supply of wood and woody
biomass products which serve as a source of energy, construction, and wood-based industries.
The review of this seminar may help society to understand as the maintained natural forests
create job opportunities for them.
 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Theoretical Review

2.1. 1. Concepts on Deforestation

Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to utilize the land or trees or it is
the destruction of indigenous forests and woodland (Bekele etl.2016). Typically, deforestation is
clearing a lot of trees without the intention of establishing future growth. Harvesting, forest fires,
and insect infestation do not count as deforestation because the affected area will eventually
grow back. In some countries, such as Canada and America, all areas harvested must be
reforested either by replanting or through natural regeneration. The land is then often converted
into farms, plantations, roads, housing, and other city uses. Deforestation is the most severe in
various countries such as the Amazon, Borneo Congo basin, and the Russian Far East. Over half
of the world's forests have been destroyed over 10,000 years, the majority in just the last 6 years.
(Bekele etl.2016)

Deforestation has been caused by extensive war throughout history fire has often been used to
deprive the enemy of necessary resources. If they are not reforested, they inevitably end up as
wastelands directly from soil erosion and desertification. An overall and effectively permanent
reduction in the extent of tree cover is the dominant environmental, social, and economic issue
affecting the forestry sector in Ethiopia. ( FAO 2017)

According to FAO (2019), a forest is a minimum land area of 0.05-1 hk with a tree crown cover
of more than 10-30 percent and a tree height of 2-5 at maturity. (FAO 2016) defined a forest as'
'land with a tree crown cover (or equivalent stocking level) of more than 10 percent and an area
of more than 0.5-hectare Slash and burn is the method sometimes used by shifting cultivators to
create short-term yields from marginal soils. When practiced repeatedly or without intervening
fallow periods, the nutrient-poor soils may be exhausted to an unproductive state. By a history of
climate extremes such as drought and flood, increasing and decreasing trends in temperature and
precipitation respectively. The history of climate extremes, especially drought, is not a new
phenomenon in Ethiopia.

Agriculture is the dominant sector of the Ethiopian economy, with 85% of the population living
in rural areas. Agriculture provides about 52% of a country's GDP,80% of its employment, and
90% of its export earnings, Ethiopian economy is largely dominated by subsistence agriculture,
land crop and livestock farming are the principal practices. Mixed farming dominates the
highlands, with crop and livestock farming practiced in the same management unit. The
production system is subsistence-based, and smallholder oriented manifested in the degradation
of land and water (Bekele Bishaw. 2016)

2.1.2. Environmental impact

Deforestation increases greenhouse gases emission, trees help to mitigate CO 2 and other
greenhouse gases emission, but they become carbon sources once they are cut, burned, or
otherwise removed. It is estimated that deforestation is responsible for around 20% of
greenhouse gas emissions and 1.5 billion tons of carbon is released every year by tropical
deforestation (Nathalie Fiest program of tropical deforestation). The major challenges facing
Ethiopia in striving for development are the environmental degradation of resources as well as
the loss of Environmental biodiversity (Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture 2016). Land
degradation is expressed in terms of soil erosion is one of the major factors contributing to land
degradation by exposing the soil to various agents of erosion with high-intensity rain storms and
extensive steep slopes; Ethiopia is highly susceptible to soil erosion, especially in the highlands.
The organic content of the soil is low due to the widespread use of dung and crop residues for
energy (FOA, 2016).

Nation forest proclamations and the environmental policy of Ethiopia reflect the environmental
importance of forests and local nongovernmental organizations are emerging with concern about
carbon sinks, soil conservation, watershed protection, and overall reduction of land degradation.
Despite these foresters are not protected and the environmental functions are not realized. In the
management plans which have been effectively implanted. The forest plant genetic resources
conservation project will have several projects of various kinds and is anticipated to yield the
following major results: the EIA discuss major environmental issues and constraints on the
physical and biological environment (including forest resources and protected areas) (Birhanu,
Nylund; and Mustanoj, 2015).

2.1.3. Ways of preventing deforestation

If deforestation is a negative event, then a positive event should take place to counter its effects--
reforestation Plant trees and begin doing this in your work area, trees give off oxygen that is
essential for human existence and they, in turn, capture the carbon dioxide that humans and
animals exhaled (TesgayeTadesse2015) forestry contribution to employment is undocumented).
Trees also help in containing water in their roots. With this simple act, you are able to prevent
soil erosion, which is the root cause of landslides).

Instead of using a different portion of land each year, why not use the same portion with different
crops? This practice also helps in maintaining the fertility of the soil. With the rotation of crops,
not only is there a variety in the harvest each year, but there is also the possibility of keeping that
portion of land for as long as you can. Cut down only the mature trees. Do not kill baby trees.
And for every tree that is lost, plant another one as a replacement. (Nathalie Fiset, 2015)

Instead of using firewood, use coals to heat up your fireplaces during the winter season.
Remember that it takes only a few hours to consume the firewood but it would take years to
grow a single tree. Deforestation can be prevented and you can be an active force in achieving
that. Give a tree to be planted and become part of a campaign to help reduce the effects of global
climate change. (TesgayeTadesse2015)

2.1.4. Strategies for Reduce and Prevent Deforestation

Reforestation

This practice refers to the reestablishment of trees in deforested lands. It is the best option to
overcome deforestation and offset soil degradation. Tress can be reestablished either by natural
regeneration or by seeding and transplanting. It takes about 4–5 years before trees can produce
sufficient litter cover to significantly reduce runoff and soil erosion. Litter cover of at least 5 cm
depth is required to protect the soil against erosion. Management of young tree plantations is
important to reduce the formation of rills and gullies, which are likely to occur during the
vegetation establishment stage. The global area under forest plantations has steadily increased
since1970s (FAO, 2016). Reforestation has concentrated on planting Pinus, Eucalyptus, and
Acacia species in tropical ecosystems. Planting a wide range of species is necessary to achieve
the simultaneous goals of soil and water conservation and the production of food, wood, and
bioenergy.

Afforestation

Afforestation refers to the process of planting trees in lands that previously did not support trees.
These trees produce wood and fiber and conserve soil and water. Unlike reforestation,
afforestation increases the total forest area by growing trees in pasturelands, rangelands,
shrublands, and agricultural lands. In some ecosystems, trees can expand naturally if logging,
grazing, and other human disturbances are curtailed. Planting trees in degraded or abandoned
agricultural lands is the best approach to restoring degraded lands. It is a useful strategy to
counteract or reverse accelerated global deforestation (Pacheco et al., 2018)

Land and tree tenure and participatory forest management

To combat deforestation and recover forest resources successively, appropriate land tenure
systems are required. In Ethiopia land is still under the control of the government. Unless land is
redistributed to individual farmers and they are guaranteed continuous ownership, success in the
adoption of agroforestry and tree planting on the Ethiopian highlands is unlikely. The land and
tree tenure policy of the country should be changed to reward the farmers who invest in
agroforestry and forest plantations, which require long gestation periods (Dinesh et al., 2017).
The government should introduce Int. J. Curr.Res.Aca. Rev.2021; 9(05): 30-39 36 land and tree
tenure policy changes to promote agroforestry and tree planting in the country. Land and tree
tenure should give landowners and farmers the guarantee to plant and own the forests. Without a
clear land and tree tenure policy, it is difficult to give incentives to farmers and landowners to
grow trees. Wubie (2020) reported that the Ethiopian government policy follows poor land and
tree tenure which needs great attention for alleviating deforestation and sustainable natural forest
conservation.

Reduce population growth and increase per capita incomes

In Ethiopia, the huge population number of rural areas had been putting a great burden on the
sustainability of almost all types of natural resources (Tolessa et al., 2018). There is, therefore,
serious degradation of land, water, forest, rangeland, and wildlife resources that appear to feed
off each other. This results in severe soil loss, low vegetative cover, unsustainable farming
practices, continuous use of dung and crop residues for fuel, overgrazing, and destruction and/or
migration of wildlife, which again are intensifying the degradation of available resources in a
vicious circle. Reduction of population growth is pivotal in reducing deforestation in developing
countries. Consequent to the reduced population, an increase in per capita income will occur as a
consequence of increased incomes and literacy rates which will reduce pressure on the remaining
forests for new human settlement and land use change(Pacheco et al., 2018).

Strengthening research, education, and extension

Training and education of stakeholders’ help people understand how to prevent and reduce
adverse environmental effects associated with deforestation and forestry activities and take
appropriate action when possible. Research substantiates it and helps to understand the problem,
its cause, and mitigation. This arena is lagging behind for a paucity of funds and investments
encourages this arena. There is a lack of knowledge and information in the general community
about forests and forestry. Forest managers and those developing forest policies need to be
comprehensively educated and need to appreciate the complexity of the interacting ecological,
economic, social, cultural, and political factors involved (Milne et al., 2019).

Engage and Strengthen Non-governmental institutions

It’s essential to slow down the rate of deforestation in the county this could be achieved by
engaging nongovernmental organizations that prioritize environmental sustainability as
environmental NGOs‟ contribution towards conservation management has been enormous.
According to Chakravarty et al., (2012), NGOs are better positioned than government parasternal
because they are not constrained by the government bureaucracy and inertia. They further claim
that they are well equipped to bypass corrupt tendencies and they are highly effective in getting
to the people who are most needed for decision making. Strengthen government and non-
government institutions and policies Strong and stable government is essential to slow down the
rate of deforestation. FAO (2016) considered that half of the current tropical deforestation could
be stopped if the governments of deforesting countries were determined to do so (Niel et al.,
2019). Environmental NGOs’ contribution to conservation management has been enormous.
They have the advantage over government organizations and large international organizations
because they are not constrained by government-to-government bureaucracy and inertia. They
are better equipped to bypass corruption and they are very effective at getting to the people at the
frontier who are in most need.

Controlling forest fire

Forest fire is an increasing contributory factor to the loss of forests in Ethiopia. Though the
extent of damage is not recorded, a vast area of woodland and bushland is affected by fire every
year. Forest fire is not limited to woodland and grassland areas, but its incidence is also
increasing in high forest areas, where it causes serious ecological, social, and economic damages.
For instance, the most devastating forest fire, which occurred between February and April 2000,
has destroyed a total of about 150,000 ha of mainly valuable natural high forests and an
estimated 980 ha of natural coffee stands in the southern and eastern parts of the country (FAO
2016). This has brought a growing concern from the government and necessitated the
development of an effective forest fire management plan and strategies to combat fire hazards.
Apparently, a forest fire protection task force has been established at the national and local
levels. plant a tree, use less paper, recycle paper and cardboard, use recycled products, buy only
sustainable wood products, don't buy products containing palm oil, reduce meat consumption, do
not burn firewood excessively, Practice eco-forestry, raise awareness, Respect the rights of
indigenous people, Support organizations fighting deforestation, join a community forestry
project, Help restore degraded forests, Fight governmental corruption.

2.1.5. Impact of land degradation on crop production

Land degradation also affects agricultural production in two major ways. First erosion means
loss of soil depth which decreases the value of soil material as a medium for holding water for
plant growth and second, the burning of animal dung and crop residues beaches the nutrient
cycle and reduces plant production and/or the supply of livestock feeding material (i.e., some of
the crop residues are diverted from animal feedings (Zeleke G. and Hurni H . (2016)

Soil erosion also imposes losses on agricultural production through the acceleration of surface
runoff. While the focus of most activities to arrest land degradation and improve productivity
have been on the physical parameters of the problem and these are important, the priority issues
appear to be the following: Developing a long-term locally acceptable set of land management
rights and responsibilities. Improving marketing infrastructure both physical (roads) and pricing
(Shiferaw& Holden 2016).
Table 1.1 GDP by sector (in million birrs)
Period Agriculture Industry
1981/82 3,807.7 1,312.5
1984/85 3,125.3 1,473.5
1987/88 3,923.7 1,604.9
1990/91 4,342.9 1,289.1
1991/92 4,169.2 11,226.4
1992/93 4,375.3 1,379.4
1993/94 4,546.3 1,524.3

Source: (MEDAC, 2015)

Based on the study made by the national conservation strategy secretariat (NCSS, 2014), the
quantitative and monetary impact of land degradation is summarized below. In 1990 reduced soil
depth caused by erosion resulted in a loss in grain production estimated at between 57000 and
128000 tons, depending on whether the loss of soil depth amounted to 3.5mm or 8mm, etc. In
addition to agricultural production losses as a result of soil loss, the burning of dung and crop
residues caused physical production losses estimated at four (at 3.5 mm soil loss) to 8 times (at
8mm soil loss) greater than the production lost on account of soil erosion.

2.1.6. Cause of land degradation

Land degradation has two causes direct causes of land degradation and indirect causes of land
degradation. Direct causes of land degradation are mismanagement of the land by man. The
indirect causes of this mismanagement maybe land tenure regulations, policies related to export-
import, land politics, drought, poverty, poor advisory and extension services, and population
pressures. Deforestation and the removal of natural vegetation for fuel wood, agriculture, and
industry, overgrazing of the vegetation is particularly damaging. (Zeleke, G and Hurni H .2016)

The future activity will focus on inventory and collection, characterized evaluation, and research
conservation activity. In the long term until the year 2025, it's expected to enhance the suitable
utilization of forest plant genetic resources to the national economy. (Davidson 2016)

2.1.7. Economic Impact

Land degradation has been long recognized as a major obstacle to economic growth and famine
preparedness in Ethiopia, and efforts have been made to address the problem, especially in the
last quarter of the 20th C. Since 2021 when the TGE obtained power, the national policy has been
"Agricultural Development Led Industrialization". This policy included improvements in
agriculture sector technology and management, investment in infrastructure and other impacts on
agriculture, and increasing farm size with a reduction of the population depending directly on
agriculture. Conservation and sustainable land management were not a highlight of the original
policy but have received more attention recently (Benin et. al. 2013). The forestry sub-sector is
also confronted by problems that are related to macroeconomic situations and other factors like
the reorganization of the forestry institutional economic system.

2.1.8. Effects of Deforestation on the Environment

According to (EFAP, 2017, Breitenbech, F.Von 2017) the effects of deforestation on man and
other components of the environment are as follows: Loss of Employment Opportunities, Loss of
Wood fuel Energy, Loss of Shelter Materials, Loss of Income from Payments for Environmental
Services (PES), Loss of Income from the Production of Non-Wood Forest Products, Loss of
Habitat and Biodiversity, Loss of Renewable Resources, Soil Erosion and Flooding, Alteration
of Ocean pH Level, Increase in Atmospheric CO2, Reduction in Atmospheric Humidity, A
decline in Quality of Life, Environmental Refugees, and Outbreak of Diseases

2.2. Empirical Review

According to Kasu Hailu, (2022), The main impact of deforestation in Ethiopia, a country with
high population growth, low agricultural productivity, and poor economic performance is
changing agriculture, livestock, and fuel in drier areas.

According to Teketay Demel, (2023), One of the major challenges facing Ethiopia in striving for
development is environmental degradation, manifested in the degradation of land and water resources
as well as loss of biodiversity. Land degradation is expressed in terms of soil erosion and loss of soil
fertility. Deforestation/devegetation is one of the major factors contributing to land degradation by
exposing the soil to various agents of erosion. With high-intensity rainstorms and extensive steep
slopes, Ethiopia is highly susceptible to soil erosion, especially in the highlands. The organic content
of soils is often low due to the widespread use of dung and crop residues for energy. Land degradation
in turn greatly affects agricultural productivity and production.

According to Ewnetu Teshale, (2021), The most important cause of deforestation is agricultural
expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure, poverty, wood and wood products, clear-cutting,
corruption, political cause, lack of security of land and tree tenure policies and frequent fires
took the largest share for forest destruction. Deforestation is associated with environmental
consequences such as climate change and global warming, soil erosion and land sliding, land
degradation, desertification and prolonged drought, human and environmental health, and social
and economic impacts.

Improved transport and communication infrastructure are thereby better access to the market is
facilitating deforestation. More forest cover change was detected close to areas with good road
networks and around settlements (Dereje, et al. 2017), (Gessesse Dessie 2017) and Carl
Christians soon (2016) identifies an entire combination of bio-physical and socio-political
conditions for forest decline in the Hawassa watershed area. Geographic properties, socio-
political change, population growth, insecurity of land tenure, agricultural development, and the
improvement of transport capacities are among the most important. As a result of a political
power vacuum during periods of political transition, large forest areas were cut down. Those
proximate reasons are companied by underlying causes for deforestation. Faced by food
insecurity agricultural land is just more valuable to farmers. Individual farmers don't have many
other options than converting forests into agricultural land if they are exposed to severe food
insecurity. Their times preference rate is low which means they prefer food today over tomorrow
and they definitely can't be the costs of forest conservation for the large national or global society
(Gessesse D 2017).

The main cause of deforestation is agriculture and cattle rearing, whereby people clear
rainforests to make way for agriculture and cattle. Other causes are logging, whereby the forests
are destroyed for the wood, and the building of hydroelectric power stations. Deforestation is the
cutting down of trees without planting others. It also includes both legal and illegal logging,
industrialization, some agricultural practices, and human disasters such as fires. Deforestation is
the removal of a tree or forest and then converting the land to non-forest use (FCM), Bekele
Bishaw. 2016
 3. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

3.1. Conclusion

Forests play an indispensable role in the upkeep of an environment that facilitates sustainable
development. Forests, apart from their short to long-term positive effects on weather and climatic
condition, are instrumental in controlling soil erosion, land degradation, and desertification,
problems that appear to have reached their climax in Ethiopia. The main cause of deforestation in
Ethiopia is the high population growth, low agricultural productivity, the poor economic
performance of the country, shifting agriculture, livestock production, and fuel in drier areas.

Deforestation is a contributor to global climate change, and it is often cited as one of the major
causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect. In addition, shrinking forest cover lessens the
landscape's capacity to intercept, retain and transpire perception. Instead of trapping perception,
which then percolates to the groundwater system, deforested areas become sources of surface
water runoff, which moves much faster than surface flows and then erodes the productive part of
the soil. To the deforestation problem, many efforts have been and are being made by the
government and non-government organizations. The development of improved stoves, area
closure, and plantation are the primary remedial action taken.

Deforestation, partly resulting from unsustainable agricultural practices and fuelwood

exploitation is exacerbating problems of environmental degradation especially desertification
and soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity in the west of the Ethiopian highlands regions. These
environmental problems may ultimately result in soil impoverishment or outright loss of the
productive topsoil with an attendant decline in vegetation cover of the areas. This will
consequently cause forest ecosystems to change in various ways, such as in animal and plant
species distribution, and changes in tree physiology and stability. This will manifest itself in
stand-level effects, as well as in major disruptions or disasters caused by more dramatic weather
events. Therefore, forest protection and management will have to assure that these effects can be
foreseen, managed, and limited to the greatest extent possible, particularly due to the very long
production and ecological cycle of forests.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance that government at the federal, state, and local level should
address the problem of unsustainable agricultural practices and fuel wood exploitation so that our
land will continue to be productive and be able to support present and future generations in the
west of the Ethiopian highland’s regions in particular and Ethiopia in general. It is also important
that households use alternative sources of energy such as biogas and solar energy, although
expensive but can help combat climate change and other unforeseen environmental problems.

At present, though there are some efforts organizations, there is, in general, a lack of tendency to
plan, mobilize and implement sustainable forestation programs across the nation despite rising
problems of environmental deterioration and fuel shortage that is severely affecting local
communities in particular and the national economy in general. The government and local
development agents should consider the dissemination and production of fuel-efficient improved
fuel wood and charcoal stoves which were able to reduce the biomass energy consumption by
half compared to traditional open fire. As well as a reduction in biomass energy demand results
in a reduction in the number of trees.

3.2. Recommendations

 The following future strategic directions are proposed for overcoming the challenges and
addressing the identified issues for the proper conservation and management of forest
resources of Ethiopia:
1) Establish forest information data base since there are no reliable, consistent and
comprehensive statistics about forest.
2) Improving the effectiveness of policies, regulations and agreements that are important for
the development and conservation of forest resources.
3) Rehabilitating and restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting the recovery of
threatened species vis scaling up best area, enclosure practices, agroforestry, afforestation
and reforestation programs.
4) promoting forest education and training for raising awareness-of local. communities on
the value of forest resources and ecological consequences of deforestation.
5) Sustainable protection and management of the existing natural forests needed through the
collaborative effort of the government, NGO and the local community for: reduction of
tree cutting and production of charcoal.
Strategies for Reduce and Prevent deforestation are: reforestation, afforestation, land and
tree tenure and participatory forest management, reduce population growth and increase
per capita incomes, strengthening research, education, and extension, engage and
strengthen non-governmental institutions, controlling forest fire. Therefore, afforestation
is the best solution for this problem indicated above.
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