Sodo Ethiopia

Originated by World Vision Australia, this project focuses on the restoration of a biodiverse forest on Mt. Damota, north of the township of Sodo in Southern Ethiopia. The area varies in altitude from 2000 to 2900 meters about sea level, and rainfall is approximately 1400 mm per annum. Although thie area is quite steep, the project area has been cleared for many years to facilitate cropping and grazing activities. However these activities have led to problems of flash flooding, mudslides, and the drying up of springs due to a lack of recharge of groundwater. The project will help to address these problems through a combination of seedling establishment and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, wherby farmers identify and promote native trees, which were pre-existing on the site before it was cleared. The project facilitates the input of seven small communities (known as kebele in Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia) around Mt. Damota. These communities will be the direct beneficiaries of the project.