Ethiopian Review

ENA

Addis Ababa, (Jimma) – The Jimma branch of the Oromia State Forest Enterprises Supervising Agency said it has been carrying out participatory forest management and protection.

The forest management works the Jimma forest enterprise has been implementing at the six protected state forest areas incorporated local communities as partners, ensuring and maximizing their economic benefits, enterprise development section head, Tesfaye Tolcha said.

Tesfaye told ENA that the local people take benefits by planting trees and other crops, which they are allowed to sell as long as they participate in the replenishment and protection of forest enclosures.

They are taking benefits from growing coffee, corriander and other commercial crops in the forest they are responsible for the protection of.

The participatory approach paid off as it increases a sense of ownership on the part of the local communities on the protected forest areas, he indicated.

The enterprise also sells trees planted within areas designated for commercial purposes, but plants two or more trees in place of each felled, he noted.

As a case in point, he said, the enterprise this year planned to sell trees grown on 90 hectares while targetting the planting of tree seedlings on 560 hectares.

With regards its sales plan, the enterprise has so far met 50 per cent, where as it finalized 80 per cent of seedling nursing.

Trees felled for selling are grown away from the areas enclosed as state forest, he said.