Majang Biosphere Reserve (Part One)

The Majang zone of Gambella Region is one of the three zones of the region that borders with Sheka and Bench Maji zones of SNNPR in its Southeastern part, Ilubabor zone of Oromiya region in its Northern and Agnwa zone of Gambella in its Western part.

Majang zone is one of the Southeastern parts of the country endowed with rich bio-cultural diversity. Recorded evidences show that the Majang forest consists of a total of 257 vascular plant species representing 90 families. The forest also harbors a number of wild animals, such as colobus monkey, Green monkey, Bush pig, Bushbuck, leopard, Buffalo and many bird species. The forest of Majang zone constitutes more than 70% of the total area of the zone.

The forest is also a major source of livelihood for the local community. Some of the Non Timber Forest Products from the forest include honey, coffee, spices, wild fruit, bush meet and wood products.

Though the forest is the major source of income and a sign of the identity of the local communities, it is under the threat of vanishing due to pressures from various corners. Among the threats to the forest are deforestation for coffee and other plantations, expansion of agriculture and settlements, erosion of local traditional conservation practices, logging and expansion of large-scale agricultural investments.

MELCA has opened a project office in Majang with the major objective of ensuring sustainable development for the local communities and conserving the local bio-cultural diversity.

Some of the strategies MELCA will implement to achieve this objective would be facilitating adoption of the Godere forest, as a biosphere reserve, Environmental education, Non-timber forest products development, ecological agriculture and participatory mapping of the culture and natural resources of the community.

Видео Majang Biosphere Reserve (Part One) канала MELCA Ethiopia