Land Restoration
UPLAND RESTORATION AND RESEARCH
Irob highland has fascinating scenery due to its complex high rising mountains bisected by deep Canyons. This phenomena entitled Irobland its nick name, ’ the natural museum’ by visitors from neighboring regions and the "Little Tibet" by Dr. Paul Henze
Hence, eco-tourism blended with unique culture of Irob as a minority is of a high potential yet to be utilized. This region is also ideal for ecological restoration and research, due to its unique dryland flora which is not ye explored. The Irob highland is also known for its export quality honey production in the country. Hence, it could be put into this environmentally friendly livelihood practice. Irob highland inhabited by this Saho speaking Irob ethnic minority, it is also a virgin area of research about the history and culture of this people waiting for pioneering intervention.
Saragumbe
Alitena-Awo-Assimba
Restoration Potential of Irobland
Four core areas exist in Irob where natural forest can be restored. Existing vegetation, altitude and slope are key entry point criteria for selection of those area. In addition they are located at the highest elevations and their role in restoration of hydrological balance is key as well. These sites are:
- Assimba Mountain
The core area of this park was already gazetted in 2010. The Assimba park was also identified as Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) by Conservation International in 2011, making it eligible for research grants from CEPF. It is situated in an altitude of 3220m above sea level. The 4000ha of forest was gazetted as Natural Forest Park in 2010.
- Aiga-Saragumbe-Dambakoma mountain chain
Situated at bout 2800m, 4000ha also gazette recently.
- Alogade-Silaáh mountains
Situated at about 2500, about 3500ha available.
- Araáe Koma:
Also above 2500m, it has about 1800ha of Forest and woodlands.
The total core area is about 13,300ha. Olea Africana and Junipers procera species dominate the higher elevations of these mountains. Irobland is known for its unique flora in Tigray that is not found elsewhere. This has a lot to do with its geography in relation to the Great Rift Valley. The flora of Irobland resembles more that of the Arabian Peninsula highlands than its immediate vicinities in Tigray. Related to this unique flora, Irob is famous for the best honey production as well.
Research Component on Landscape Restoration
If startup projects of the previous two programs are successful, more than 50, 000 ha of Irobland can be freed for restoration. Rapid vegetation recovery is possible in the highlands that would provide benefits like Carbon sequestration, hydrology restoration, wildlife recovery, and biodiversity, ecotourism, research, other ecosystem services.
Vegetation mapping project
Irob vegetation is not yet assessed and it is unique. Mapping the vegetation would be the first step with the expected outcomes of major species maps, and their local use (ethnobotanical knowledge). Land use planning and zonation is another critical work that needs to be accomplished to be able to match appropriate land use practices to particular land qualities.
Register Ayga and Sila’ah highlands as protected areas with regional government
Right now, only Assimba forest is gazette. Conduct rapid appraisal of the two other mountainous regions mention above. Develop and boundary map and register as biodiversity centers.
Introduce Landscape Restoration Projects with Assisted Natural Regeneration
According to various studies including the following by Dr. Ann Waters-Bayer, Irob has very limited flat land for rain-fed agriculture. The land area of region is about 90,000 ha. More than 70, 000 ha of this land is feasible for native vegetation restoration under the wide-scale restoration category based on the WRI landscape restoration map. The population density is very sparse, and the land is in a relatively better condition compared to the surroundings to recover in its own with minimal support, if left alone. The region also falls within the eastern most edge of the Africa’s great green wall initiative.
The ecological restoration will yield number of critical co-benefits to the society from the revival of associated ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, non-destructive economic and social returns from ecotourism, honeybee production, restored hydrology to improve water quality and quantity, and biodiversity.