MELCA-Ethiopia conduct a consultative workshop on the Draft Biosphere Reserve Policy
To date exist five biosphere reserves in Ethiopia: Kafa (2010), Yayu (2010), Sheka Forest (2012) and Lake Tana (2015), and Majang Forest (2017) registered by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). MELCA-Ethiopia collaborating with federal and regional government and with the financial support of SIDA facilitating, nominating, and adopting the Sheka and Majang forest biosphere reserve.
MELCA-Ethiopia with financial support from Sida and in collaboration with Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute and Farm Africa MELCA-Ethiopia has been conducted a consultative workshop on the Draft Biosphere Reserve Policy framework in Jimma town from December 30 to 31, 2021.
On the consultative workshop Dr. Debissa Lemessa Associate professor, AAU presented background about biosphere reserve and the need for biosphere reserve, and Mr. Yericho Berhanu Ph.D. Student presents an Assessment of Land-use Change and Carbon Stock in Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve of his study paper.
Various stakeholders from government institutions, civil society organizations, and universities participated in the workshop. and Sheka community Elders has been present their perspective on bio-cultural practice in the biosphere reserve, and the draft biosphere reserves policy has been presented by the consultant’s team to the participants.
On the presented papers and draft biosphere reserve policy workshop participants discussed with group and reflect their perspective and give constructive comments. The consultant team has been record and collects the given constructive comments and reflections on the presented draft biosphere reserve policy. It is expected that the study team will reorganize the draft biosphere reserve policy based on given comments, and present the draft policy to various government and related stakeholders.