ORDA handed over 4 thousand 40 hectares of forest land to government and local community 

The Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA) handed over 4 thousand 40 hectares of forest land to government and local community planted through its Community-Based Forest Development and Management /Greening Program, Ato Solomon Ayele -Director of Environment and Forest Development Program said.

He added ORDA has planted and handed over 18.34 million indigenous and exotic species of tree seedlings planted on 4 thousand 40 hectares of land in Gondar Zuria, Dessie (Tossa Mount.), Gidan, Habru, Gubalafto and Kobo woredas on Phase II Greening Program.

On phase I, The Organization has planted more than 38 million tree seedlings which are planted on 14 thousand and 27 hectares of land and handed over to the concerned government and local communities in the region. ORDA in place received 89 million birr from the regional government to execute phase II Community- Based Forest Development and Management/Greening Program for the last 7 years (from 2014 to 2020).

On phase II, ORDA has planted a total of 4 thousand and 40 hectares of land in Gondar Zuria (896 hectares), Dessie (Mount.Tosa- 70.7 hectares), Gidan(896 hectares),, Habru(975 hectares),, Gubalafto (270 hectares), and Kobo (239 hectares.) 

It is also noted ORDA, in August 2020, has handed over 470 hectares of forest land in Gidan woreda for the community in the presence of concerned government authorities.

ORDA has also developed 855 hectares of forest land in Gondar Zuria Woreda with a Joint Forest Management Approach where the community has covered 30% of its cost. All,except the 100 hectares of land found in 5 varied plantation sites of Ambo Ber Kebele around Megech dam, has been handed over to the local community to utilize 50% of their share during the time of production.

The organization has grown 56.7 million seedlings planted on over 18,000 hectares of land through the Community- Based Forest Development and Management/Greening Program alone.

Generally, ORDA has contributed 720.26 million seedlings that are planted on 132 thousand 549 hectares of land over the past 23 years (since 2005) contributing 4.2 percent of the region's forest cover.