Environmental issues in Eritrea
Encyclopedia
Eritrea
faces environmental issues such as continued deforestation
, desertification
, soil erosion, overgrazing, and significant land loss as a result of the presence of hundreds of thousands of land mines.
Significant strides towards sustainability and environmental recovery have been made by the Government of Eritrea. The Eritrean Government has embarked on a program to reforest Eritrea (which in 1900 was 30% forested land, despite heavy logging) and prevent wood from being used as a fuel source.
In addition to its terrestrial responsibilities, the government of Eritrea, with the assistance of the UN Development Program has enacted a Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project which is designed to protect the entire coastal zone of Eritrea. This is the first project of its kind in scope and magnitude in the world. This program is meant to create a sustainable environment for coming generations.
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
faces environmental issues such as continued deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, desertification
Desertification
Desertification is the degradation of land in drylands. Caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities, desertification is one of the most significant global environmental problems.-Definitions:...
, soil erosion, overgrazing, and significant land loss as a result of the presence of hundreds of thousands of land mines.
Significant strides towards sustainability and environmental recovery have been made by the Government of Eritrea. The Eritrean Government has embarked on a program to reforest Eritrea (which in 1900 was 30% forested land, despite heavy logging) and prevent wood from being used as a fuel source.
In addition to its terrestrial responsibilities, the government of Eritrea, with the assistance of the UN Development Program has enacted a Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project which is designed to protect the entire coastal zone of Eritrea. This is the first project of its kind in scope and magnitude in the world. This program is meant to create a sustainable environment for coming generations.