Jigjiga (Dawan Africa) -The Somali Regional State of Ethiopia planted more than 2.67 million trees on Thursday, July 31, as part of the country’s “Green Legacy” national campaign, an initiative designed to restore degraded landscapes and bolster climate resilience across Ethiopia.
The tree-planting drive targeted vulnerable ecosystems within the region and was coordinated by the Bureau of Environment Protection of the Somali Regional Government. According to officials, the planting was conducted simultaneously across multiple zones, though areas like Sitti and Fafan planted fewer than expected due to delayed rains.
“Tree planting is not a one-day event. It is a continuous process,” said Mukhtar Abdi, Head of the Environment Protection Bureau. “Some areas like Sitti and Fafan are still awaiting rainfall, which has affected our planting targets.”
While the initial goal for the day was to plant 7 million trees, the final confirmed number stood at 2.67 million, reflecting both logistical challenges and the complexity of climate variability in the Horn of Africa.
The trees planted included:
Forest trees for ecological regeneration
Fruit-bearing trees for food and income
Ornamental trees for urban beautification
Fodder trees for livestock support
Students, civil servants, environmental groups, and local community members all participated in the campaign, reflecting broad public mobilization behind the region’s green agenda.
So far this year, the Somali Region has planted over 13 million trees out of a 14 million target, a performance regional officials say illustrates growing environmental awareness and the political will to reverse deforestation and land degradation.
The Green Legacy Initiative was launched nationally by the Ethiopian government in response to escalating climate threats. The campaign aims to plant billions of trees to restore forests, mitigate desertification, and address food insecurity across drought-prone areas.
