BACKGROUND OF THE ENTOTO-NATURAL-PARK PROJECT
The Situation (Date: 1995)
The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, lacks public parks for its growing number of citizens. At an alarming rate, the peri-urban sites are converted into town. There is no national park demonstrating Ethiopian nature in the vicinity of the capital, and the surrounding countryside contains only farmland or tree plantations. There is an urgent need for at least one significant area where the urban population can spend periods of rest in a natural, clean and unspoiled surroundings, among greenery and fresh air.
The Problem When the population density in a city increases rapidly during a short period of time, it gives immediate effects on the natural resources around the town. This is what has happened in Addis Ababa, where the massive demand for biomass as an energy source has deteriorated the peri-urban forests. Indigenous tree species have been replaced by exotic species, mainly Eucalyptus, destroying the soil and causing severe erosion. Among the many problems resulting from this, young people of Addis Ababa have little opportunity to acquaint themselves with the abundant natural history and wildlife of Ethiopia by field trips, nor to learn in a tangible way about the importance of nature conservation.
The Entoto-Natural-Park Project
At the northern edge of Addis Ababa, a mountain ridge rises to an altitude of more than 3 100 meters above sea level. On the mountain known as Entoto, a state-owned forest company planted huge areas of eucalyptus, which are now being cut down by the forest company itself and by fuel-wood collectors. The region faces big problems concerning erosion, over flooding and uncontrolled exploitation.
A group of enthusiasts formed a non-governmental organization, the Ethiopia Heritage Trust (EHT) for the conservation and preservation of aesthetic and/or historic buildings, sites and the land of scenic beauty in Ethiopia. On November 17. 1993, Mr. Michael Sargent, British Council representative and founder of the ETH, together with Ato Hamza M. Sheik, head of the Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection Bureau of Region 14 (the administrative region in which Addis Ababa is situated) raised the possibility of creating a natural park on the Entoto range of hills. As Ato Hamza found the objectives of the EHT proposal in line with the Economic Policy of the Transitional Government, which affirms the need to develop and protect natural resources, he approved of the idea.
The progress of the Project
Between September 1993 and September 1994 decisions were taken on the criteria for the location of the natural park. Continuous discussions were held between members of the EHT and representatives of the government, and informal contacts were taken with different people who might have opinions about the project. Collection of seeds and production of seedlings was initiated in order to prepare for a beginning of replanting in 1995.
The National Herbarium In the Faculty of Science at Addis Ababa University, the Flora Section takes a great interest in the conservation of the indigenous vegetation on Entoto (and on other mountainous areas) It is the scientific knowledge of this institution that makes it possible to make inventories on the present flora, and of plants, trees and plants societies suitable to reintroduce. Inventories of the flora on Entoto started in November 1994. Some members of the Park Committee belong to the staff of the National Herbarium.
However degraded, the area still has many natural features which are interesting to develop into a natural park. Beyond motives concerning the nearness to Addis and a history very much related to the foundation of the capital, the topography offers many views over Addis Abeba, the countryside and the Sululta plains. Many brooks intersect the area, and on their sides, sparse vegetation of the indigenous tree Juniperus procera ("Tid' in Amharic) is remaining. Open spaces with seasonal flowering meadows is another quality of the area.
The Objectives for a Natural Park in Addis Ababa
Referring to A Preliminary Survey of A Possible Site at Entoto, written by EHT, the objectives of creating a natural park for Addis Ababa are:
1. To provide a recreational facility for the citizens of Addis Ababa.
2. Educate the population, and especially young people, in the importance of conserving the natural environment.
3. Encourage the re-emergence of the native vegetation and wildlife of the area, and set an example in good conservation management.
4. Enable people living in the neighbourhood of the Park to participate in its development and to draw some benefit from it.
5. Offer scientists opportunities to observe and survey the geology, hydrology, vegetation and wildlife of the area.
The landscape is more than its physical factors, such as soils, geomorphology, vegetation layers, water and topography. It is also the living history of man and serves as the environment for people and animals, forming a culture. This way of looking at the landscape is developed in the Netherlands into the Triplex-model: The base is the abiotic layer (the geomorphology and the hydrology). The second layer of flora and fauna is added, and eventually, the anthropological layer completes the model. We believe that no one can develop a long-term sustainable environment without paying attention to all three conditions.
The Eucalyptus Problem
On the Entoto mountain and at many other places around Addis Abeba the existing vegetation is Eucalyptus globulus. This is an Australian tree brought to Ethiopia by a Swiss ambassador some 100 years ago. At that time most of the area around the town had been deforested due to the need for wood for construction and fuel. The introduction of the new species was very successful, as its speed of growing surpassed the indigenous trees. Some of the eucalyptus on Entoto have their origin in that first phase of reforestation, but plantations have been added now and then through this century. At present, the bulk of the park area is covered by eucalyptus plantations. The new species is an integral part of the Ethiopian history, but at the same time, it is a tree that does not belong to the Ethiopian flora.
By the time of Menelik II, the mountainous region of Addis Ababa was state-owned. Authorities were employed to supervise the management of the forest and then also controlled forest guards. Citizens of Addis Ababa were allowed to harvest the forest every fourth month for their subsistent needs in the presence of the forest guards. But as the forest resource quickly became depleted, due to population growth, Menelik II introduced species of eucalyptus for reforestation of the forests around Addis Ababa.
The eucalyptus plantations, mainly consisting of the Australian Eucalyptus globulus had a connection to each resident of the city, as the king ordered every person to raise, plant and utilized 100 seedlings. This initiated a private business of selling fuelwood some 6 years after the Menelik ordinance. Another factor intensified the control and management of the peri-urban forests; the leasing system to the aristocrats and dignitaries.
(Håkan Blanck and Pia Englund, Entoto Natural Park 1995).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evapotranspirationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDgDWbQtlKIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDjW8WvFcGQ&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utdyYvIznJE
