INTO commends Botanical Garden Development in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, September 25, 2024 (FBC) – The International National Trust Organization (INTO) Deputy Secretary General Vanessa Targett emphasized the importance of developing climate-change resilient botanic gardens to attract tourism commending the activities being underway in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa in the development of the sector.

A workshop that brought together experts from INTO, Heritage Watch Ethiopia and other stakeholders was held at the Addis Ababa University (AAU) on Tuesday to discuss the Withstanding Climate Change Project that aims to create climate-resilient gardens preserving culture and heritage.

International National Trust Organization Deputy Secretary General, Vanessa Targett said developing climate resilient and heritage preserving botanic gardens in Ethiopia particularly, in Addis Ababa is crucial both for health and tourism.

Recall that Heritage Watch Ethiopia Association has been implementing the Withstanding Climate Change Project supported by INTO, a global network of 100 heritage organizations.

INTO as an important global organ, it supports Heritage Watch Ethiopia Association, a local organization dedicated to preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

“We’ve come here to really learn from Heritage Watch Ethiopia and see the amazing work they’re doing. As one of our members, they’re a partner of ours on the Withstanding Change Project, which is a British Council funded project that funds six members who are really working to look at climate adaptation and resilience,” Targett said.

The Deputy Secretary General praised Heritage Watch Ethiopia for its wonderful work on the construction of the Heritage Gardens in Addis Ababa like Gullele Botanic Garden.

“It’s really wonderful for Addis to be developing its Botanical Gardens. It’s such a wonderful asset for any country to have and there’s so much rich biodiversity in Ethiopia that having a botanical garden where Ethiopians, but also tourists and visitors can visit.”

And they can really also experience all the wonderful nature, natural heritage that Ethiopia has to offer. So it’s really exciting,” Targett reflected.

She also stressed the need for Ethiopia play its fair share through exchanging knowledge and best practices of preserving heritages in the sphere of nature and culture, which is a global movement.

“INTO believes that natural heritage is equally as important as some of the more traditional types of heritage that people think of, often people think about old buildings, churches, mosques and castles, things like that,” she noted.

Heritage Watch Ethiopia Association Founder and Executive Director, Esther Sellassie Antohin highlighted the Association’s achievements in developing climate-resilient gardens at the AAU’s Faculty of Business and Economics campus.

These gardens showcase drought and heavy rainfall resilience, ensuring the preservation of cultural and heritage values, she elaborated.

Through its initiatives, the association seeks to raise awareness about the importance of heritage conservation and promote sustainable practices, she explained.

In his presentation on the workshop, Professor Sebsebe Demissew, Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Lecturer at the Addis Ababa University stressed the need for increased research and partnerships to strengthen the Gullele Botanic Garden, as reported by ENA.

Gullele Botanic Garden, a valuable resource for education, entertainment, and tourism, Sebsebe indicated that the Garden has agreed with Ethiopian Airlines to bring about transit passengers into the area.