DMU:- Debre Markos University, Research and Transformation Directorate hosts inception collaborative workshop together with Ethiopan Environment and Forest Research Institute, Ethiopian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission, and Selale University on lowland bamboo development project at Abay River gorge  which aims at protecting the Grand Renaissance Dam from silt sedimentation, protecting deforestation, providing job opportunity for youths and enhancing the development of the country in the presence of concerned bodies of all the stake holders today 0n 6 February, 2021.

Partial view of the workshop

Docter Yiheyes Aregu, Debre Markos University Academic Affairs Vice President, speaking at the opening stage says that the workshop is very crucial and timely to bring a change towards the demanding environment as we are lagging behind due to our problems to link our theoretical knowledge to the real ground though the country is endowed with plenty and enormous natural resources. Thus, the project will help us to pay due attention to our environs, protect, conserve and find solutions to the existing problems, he added.

‘’Our ancestors have let us many great values and deeds, but we did not understand, conserve, develop and use them properly. Hence, this is the right time to think out of the box and use our theoretical knowledge to overcome the problems of the community and enhance the development of the country at large,’’ Dr. Yiheyes, remarked.

Lowland bamboo development Project is very important because it is eco-friendly, easy and fast growing, naturally suitable for the area. Thereby, all the stakeholders shall work aggressively and collaboratively having uncommon thinking to bring about a change towards the livelihood of the community who are struggling and leading traditional and usual way of life, Dr. Yiheyes underlined.

Dr. Melkamu Bezabih, Director for Research and Transformation Directorate welcoming the participants says that the project is a collaborative work with the objectives of protecting deforestation and drought, providing job opportunities for the youths, saving the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam from silt sedimentation and ultimately enhancing development.

Mr. Adugnaw Adimas, presents introduction to Lowland Bamboo Project and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders of the project, Dr. Agena Anjilo, Vice Director of EFFRI, presents brie on utilization of Bamboo and Mr. Fikr Assefa, from INBAR shares about his institution experiences on Bamboo to the participants.

Finally, a brief and detail discussion was held about the importance and beneficiaries of the project, the activities to be done for the realization of the project and the responsibilities of the stakeholders, the economical, social and environmental advantages of the project, the area of the project and the commitment that the stakeholders need to have in making the project were among the points mentioned in bold.

 It is noted that all the stakeholders and the government agreed and believed that the project helps to alleviate the existing problems of the community and the country if it can be implemented through the active involvement of the community.