Green Legacy Initiative Restores Dried Springs and Lakes, Say University Scholars
The Green Legacy Initiative has revitalized dried springs and lakes by allowing water to penetrate deeper into the soil, scholars at Haramaya University reported.
Dr. Yishak Yusuf, the Vice President of Research and Community Engagement at Haramaya University, stated that the Green Legacy Initiative is providing numerous benefits to the country.
It has, in particular, brought about benefits such as timely rainfall, lush vegetation, increased water infiltration, and alleviation of water scarcity, among others. According to Dr. Yishak, the initiative has restored springs and lakes that had either disappeared or dried up.
The development activities conducted as part of the Green Legacy initiative around Lake Haramaya, which had been dry for the past 18 years, have helped restore the lake to its original condition. As a result, the water level has been increasing each year.
The activities have also helped farmers increase their production and productivity by making groundwater available, thereby ensuring food security, Dr. Yishak pointed out.
Plant Science lecturer and researcher Dr. Yonas Moges highlighted the significance of the Green Legacy, which has received international recognition. He pointed to Haramaya University as an example of successful initiatives undertaken in recent years in various basins, resulting in concrete outcomes.
Efforts in natural resource conservation and the Green Legacy have transformed the local ecosystem, leading to the remarkable revival of Lake Haramaya.
Dine Rashid, the Coordinator of the Lake Haramaya Basin Development Project and a lecturer, stated that the initiatives implemented in the watersheds are effectively preventing erosion and promoting water infiltration into the ground. He noted that these efforts have made groundwater more accessible, enhanced irrigation practices, and increased forest coverage.
The university will build upon the vital work initiated by the Green Legacy, enhance these positive changes through education, and pursue further research and development.
Haramaya University Public & International Relations Directorate
Tags: African environmental projects, climate action, dried springs, ecological recovery, environmental restoration, Green Legacy Initiative, lake revival, sustainability efforts, university scholars, water conservation