The ambitious Great Green Wall project has been successfully restoring more than 7.7 million hectares of land across Africa for over 17 years. Deforestation, agricultural expansion, and drought have contributed to desertification in many parts of the continent, leading to less fertile soil and reduced productivity. The project aims to re-green 100 million hectares of land, an area larger than California, by 2030.
Countries from Senegal to Djibouti are working together to re-green the semi-arid Sahel region, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Initiated by the African Union in 2007, the project initially included 11 countries and has since expanded to include more nations. Trees play a crucial role in slowing soil erosion, absorbing carbon dioxide, and supporting biodiversity by providing food and shelter for animals.
Despite its noble goals, the Great Green Wall project faces challenges and criticism. Some young trees planted in remote areas struggle to survive due to temperature increases and low rainfall. Critics argue that local indigenous people have not been fully involved in the project, and some governments have relocated communities from forested areas. However, some countries have seen success with traditional methods like farmer-managed natural regeneration and zai farming.
Recent advancements in technology are helping to monitor and map reclaimed lands in the Sahel region. Organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are collaborating with communities to restore lands and reduce soil erosion. By 2023, the project had restored over 7.7 million hectares of land and created 350,000 jobs. Despite its challenges, the Great Green Wall project continues to make strides in combating desertification in Africa.
The Great Green Wall project is an inspiring initiative that aims to tackle one of Africa’s most pressing environmental challenges – desertification. With more than a dozen African countries participating in this ambitious program, it is clear that this project has made significant progress towards re-greening large swathes of land across the continent.
One of the key challenges facing this project is ensuring that local communities are fully involved in its implementation. While some governments have relocated communities from forested areas, others have worked closely with local farmers and indigenous people to develop sustainable farming practices that support soil health and biodiversity.
Another challenge is adapting traditional methods like farmer-managed natural regeneration and zai farming alongside modern technologies like drones and satellites to monitor reclaimed lands effectively.
Despite these challenges, recent advancements in technology have enabled organizations like FAO UN to collaborate with communities more efficiently than ever before.
As we look towards a future where climate change threatens our planet’s existence
