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Great Green Wall

A Flourishing Future for Gewocha Forest

Community-led restoration of native remnant forest in Amhara

0 ha
under restoration
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trees growing
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species regenerating
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communities involved
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families directly benefiting

Location

Jabi-Tehnan (West Gojjam), Amhara

Project partners

The Hunger Project

Restoration approaches

Direct planting, Assisted Natural Regeneration, conservation, agroforestry

Species

Include Ficus vasta, Cordia africana, Albizia gummefera, Ficus sur forssk, Syzigium guineense

Participants

7894 farmers and their families in 14 communities

In the Gewocha Forest and its surrounding communities, a lack of proper farm and grazing land management means soil is degrading and land is becoming unproductive. 

Our project will re-establish the structure, species diversity and density of the highly degraded 7932 ha forest, and rehabilitate 1143 ha of degraded open communal land. We will also support a community resilience strategy by introducing agroforestry practices on 925 ha of smallholder farmland with around 7900 households.

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Why and how we're working here

Farmers in the buffer zone are encroaching into the forest to compensate for their losses from crop yields and shortages of animal feed. Trees are cut for fuel and construction wood, and charcoal is produced as a source of income. This forest that supports 14 rural kebeles (villages) will be lost without protection and restoration.

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The project's impact on

people

Half of the inhabitants of the Jabi-Tehnan region live below the poverty line, and 43% are chronically malnourished, with women and children most affected. Poverty in this region is further exacerbated by landlessness and youth unemployment. Moreover, women remain marginalised and are often excluded from participation in decision-making and in the economy.

Due to a shortage of grazing land, cattle eat wherever they can – including in the forest. © WeForest
Due to a shortage of grazing land, cattle eat wherever they can – including in the forest. © WeForest
The forest will be restored with over 9.5 million trees of native large canopy species, 60% of them directly planted, 30% regenerated using assisted natural regeneration and 10% conserved. © WeForest
The forest will be restored with over 9.5 million trees of native large canopy species, 60% of them directly planted, 30% regenerated using assisted natural regeneration and 10% conserved. © WeForest
For the communal lands, 1.2 to 1.6 million seedlings will be grown, aiming at an average density of approximately 1111 trees per ha. © WeForest
For the communal lands, 1.2 to 1.6 million seedlings will be grown, aiming at an average density of approximately 1111 trees per ha. © WeForest
On the smallholder farms, 1.9 million seedlings of native and exotic species will be grown. High-value fruit trees and other species for forage and fuel wood will also be planted. © WeForest
On the smallholder farms, 1.9 million seedlings of native and exotic species will be grown. High-value fruit trees and other species for forage and fuel wood will also be planted. © WeForest
Once rejuvenated, these areas will become an important source of grass/fodder, fuelwood, small timber, medicinal plants, recharge of streams and groundwater, and a carbon sink. © WeForest
Once rejuvenated, these areas will become an important source of grass/fodder, fuelwood, small timber, medicinal plants, recharge of streams and groundwater, and a carbon sink. © WeForest
The long-term success of restoration and the sustainability of the project rely on the resilience of the communities living around the forest, so the project will address the root causes of degradation - unsustainable agricultural practices, low incomes, and weak forest governance. The title deed for the community forest will be secured by and with the local community. © WeForest
The long-term success of restoration and the sustainability of the project rely on the resilience of the communities living around the forest, so the project will address the root causes of degradation - unsustainable agricultural practices, low incomes, and weak forest governance. The title deed for the community forest will be secured by and with the local community. © WeForest
The project will support the communities to develop their own vision, commitments and concrete action plans to a) reduce hunger and poverty, b) improve women’s empowerment and leadership, and c) strengthen self-reliant income generating activities and entrepreneurship. © WeForest
The project will support the communities to develop their own vision, commitments and concrete action plans to a) reduce hunger and poverty, b) improve women’s empowerment and leadership, and c) strengthen self-reliant income generating activities and entrepreneurship. © WeForest
To address unsustainable farming, the project will promote improved breeds (hybrids or crossbreeds), fodder conservation and feed production practices such as crop residue improvement with urea treatment to increase nutritional value. © WeForest
To address unsustainable farming, the project will promote improved breeds (hybrids or crossbreeds), fodder conservation and feed production practices such as crop residue improvement with urea treatment to increase nutritional value. © WeForest

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Who‘s funding the Gewocha Forest project?

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Stories from the field

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Progress reports