July 22, 2026, Ministry of Planning and Development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mount Gendebel, located in the Gelan district of Sheger City, Oromia Region, was once a lush, vegetation-covere landscape. Recently, however, various factors have left the mountain bare and its ecosystem severely damaged.
To reverse this environmental degradation, the Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD) - FOLUR Ethiopia Project has taken responsibility for the mountain's rehabilitation through an innovative framework known as DeLARM (Degraded Landscape Adoption and Restoration Model). Designed as a key project task for environmental and social safeguarding, this model allows the Ministry to officially "adopt" the mountain and return it to its original state.
Spearheading this effort is FOLUR Ethiopia, a dedicated project unit within the Ministry. FOLUR is directly responsible for the entire lifecycle of the initiativeâmanaging site selection, facilitation, and coordination, while ensuring continuous care and follow-up to meet the project's long-term restoration goals.
Collaborative Tree Planting Program
The initiative officially commenced with a participatory tree-planting event led by the MoPD and its affiliated institutions, working in close collaboration with staff from both the Sheger City administration and Gelan District.
Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Fitsum Assefa, explained that the Ministry assumed the responsibility of restoring this damaged landâspanning over 26 hectaresâthrough the new DeLARM approach. The Ministry is working to sustainably transform the area by planting various indigenous tree seedlings.
"We will closely monitor the process by providing continuous care," Dr. Fitsum stated, urging the local community to fulfill their national responsibility by protecting and nurturing the newly planted seedlings.
Core Objectives of the Project
Outlining the project's primary goals, Dr. Fitsum stated that the initiative expects to yield significant results, primarily aiming to:
At least double the forest cover of the degraded area.
Restore soil fertility and enhance water retention.
Rehabilitate the overall physical landscape.
Create job opportunities for the local community.
Speaking at the planting event, Dr. Fitsum also emphasized the broader impacts of the national Green Legacy Initiative. She noted that the initiative delivers sustainable environmental and economic benefits by mitigating climate change, preventing soil erosion, enriching groundwater reserves, boosting fruit production, generating employment, and restoring natural wildlife habitats.
Local Government Support
Sheger City Mayor, Dr. Teshome Adugna, commended the Ministry's leadership in adopting Mount Gendebel. He noted that the city administration remains an active participant in the broader Green Legacy Initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively on these coordinated environmental efforts.
Officials confirmed that the land rehabilitation work currently underway at Mount Gendebel through the DeLARM framework will be a continuous and sustained long-term effort.