admin | September 11, 2025
Despite the progress the Ethiopian government has made in the last four years halting deforestation by planting 100 million tree seedlings each year all over the country, aiming to plant 20 billion seedlings within a four-year period, there are still a number of challenges. Illegal logging, a serious problem across the country, is the biggest barrier. At least 22,000 hectares of forest are cut down each year, according to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, which results in flooding, biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and water pollution. It also leads to the loss of fertile soil from upland watersheds and the buildup of silt and sludge in irrigation systems and reservoirs.
The conversion of forests into agricultural land is another difficulty. Compared to 10 or 15 years ago, Bale Mountain eco-region, which was an example of what is termed the country’s cold climate/afro alpine forest ecosystem, is shifting towards warmer weather. Due to tree cutting, red foxes, one of the area’s flagship species that was previously not seen near people’s homes are now being forced to live in areas with few trees and have even started breeding with local dogs. Animals like lions and hyenas are migrating to the far corners of the mountains’ forests because changes in the eco-system’s weather have shifted their habitat. Also, due to soil erosion caused by deforestation, the production of maize and sorghum has decreased by at least 10 quintals (one tonne) per hectare.
Even though there is still much to be done, local farmers are using paraffin to cook their meals rather than relying only on trees. The government and other partners are also educating farmers about the negative effects of tree-cutting, including decreased agricultural yield, increased temperature, and increased animal migration from forested areas. Raising awareness reduces the number of trees that are cut down, which has some positive effects on forest management and protection.
This script is based on actual interviews. However, due to the ongoing unrest in Ethiopia, it was risky to conduct in-person interviews, and all interviews were conducted by phone. The first guest, a farmer, talks about how he safeguards trees in his neighbourhood and the challenges he encounters in doing so. Our second guest talks about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions for Bale Mount’s deforestation and forest degradation.
You might choose to produce this script on your station, using voice actors to represent the speakers. If so, please make sure to tell your audience at the beginning of the program that the voices are those of actors, not the original people involved in the interviews.
If you want to create your own programs on deforestation and reforestation and their relationship to environmental and community problems, talk to farmers and others who are implementing reforestation on the ground, as well as experts who are experienced in the details of how to successfully reforest areas, and experts who understand the environmental benefits of reforestation. You may wish to ask them questions like the following:
- What local problems are your reforestation efforts designed to address?
- What tree species at what spacing are you planting, and what is the purpose of each species?
- What environmental benefits have been experienced from reforestation?
- What community benefits have been experienced from reforestation?
- What challenges have you encountered and how have you tried to address them? Have these efforts been successful?
Estimated duration with music, intro and extro, is 25 minutes.
https://scripts.farmradio.fm/radio-script/reforestation-brings-hope-to-ethiopias-bale-mount/: Reforestation brings hope to Ethiopia’s Bale Mount