Addis Ababa, July 8, 2023 (FBC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has called on Ethiopians to make history by planting 500 million tree seedlings in a single day (on July 17, 2023) and set a new planting record.
It is to be remembered that Ethiopia planted record 350 million trees in a single day and this year’s seedlings planting intends to surpass the previous record by 150 million.
In his statement calling on all Ethiopians for an historic seedling planting campaign, the Prime Minister stated that Green Legacy is a hereditament to be bequeath to generations.
“Green Legacy means a lot to us. It will increase our agricultural production and make us self-sufficient in food. It enables us to produce food two or three times more profusely. It fills the rivers to their limits and ensures that irrigation and drinking water resource is untroubled. It increases the coverage of forestland and balances the climate condition.”
“If united, we Ethiopians can achieve what we want in all fields,” Prime Minister Abiy emphasized.
The premier called on all Ethiopians, except children and the elderly as well as sick persons in bed, not to stay at home on July 17, 2023.
‘’This is not a political issue, it is not a party program; it is not an issue of government either. This is the issue of Ethiopia,’’ he underscored.
Nature tourism is an opportunity for the country’s income to grow, he underscored, adding that Green Legacy means a lot to the nation.
“Green Legacy enables the current generation pay the debt of the past. We are responsible for the deforestation of the country’s forest. What we used has been more than what we have planted. We have bunt more trees than what we have protected Therefore, the country’s previous forestland is now just history. Green Legacy helps us pay the debt of our predecessors.
Green Legacy is an adaptation of today’s life. Harmonized with nature, values nature, and enclosed in nature, modern human life is a green life. Mankind is paying a terrible price for its conflict with nature. Diseases that cannot be cured easily, changing climate, shrinking and drying of water bodies, melting of polar ice are challenging the human civilization. Especially developing countries are being made to bear the debt of civilization of developed countries. Harmonizing our development with nature is the ideal way. We, the underdeveloped countries, have taken this lesson from the developed countries. We have been the victim of the collateral damage of civilization’s discord with nature.”
According to the Prime Minister every acre of land should be covered with plants.
“This year, we are working to plant 6.5 billion seedlings in every region, zone and woredas. Mountains, river banks, road dividers, courtyards of our houses, empty spaces of residences, religious compounds, school and office premises, lands that are not used for agriculture and animal grazing should be covered with forest.”
“Therefore, regardless of religion and culture, political affiliation and thinking, age and gender, education and living standards, let us come out early in the day and make history,” PM Abiy said.
The Premier also called on foreigners living in Ethiopia, embassies, employees of international organizations, and transit passengers to be part of history as Ethiopia gears up for a new chapter of green legacy history.