Turning a Barren Mountain Into a Forest of Hope

As the world unites behind this year’s World Environment Day theme, "Beat Plastic Pollution!", Ethiopia finds itself at a critical crossroads in the fight against environmental degradation. From the bustling streets of Addis Ababa to the most remote rural villages, the evidence is undeniable—plastic waste and deforestation have scarred the land and threatened livelihoods.

Many of the challenges facing our planet stem from human actions. The encouraging news is that some of these threats can be addressed by the very people most affected, especially when they come together in solidarity. Let me introduce you to an inspiring community that has fought against land degradation for years and, amazingly, has transformed their environment and forged a brighter future for their children.

Denbile Ottora is a community located about 561 kilometres from Addis Ababa. Nestled near a chain of mountains, this village once thrived on the natural bounty of its surrounding forests. But over time, relentless tree-cutting left the mountains barren. Without the trees’ protective cover, floods began to cascade down the slopes, washing away crops, eroding fertile farmland, and destroying vital assets.

"Restoring the forest was the furthest thing from our minds," recalls Girma, a 45-year-old father of six who has spent his entire life in Denbile Ottora. "We were simply trying to survive. With so many mouths to feed, we cut down trees for fuel, for building, for anything we needed. We didn't realise we were damaging the land, pushing it towards desertification."

The impact of the degradation was affecting the livelihood of the community: "The damage significantly affected our lives. Resources were scarce, and we often struggled to put enough food on the table for our children. I spent long hours helping my dad search for grass for the cows, walking what felt like forever. Heavy rains created large puddles that made getting to school difficult for our children. The weather was truly challenging," Sadly recalls Girma.

However, the deteriorating circumstances—the disappearance of arable land and the depletion of natural resources acted as a stark reminder. “Eventually, we realised that if we didn’t act, we would lose everything,” he recalls.

Hope arrived in the form of inspiration. The community learnt about the successful Humbo and Soddo afforestation projects initiatives that had transformed degraded landscapes into fertile, green ecosystems through Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). Intrigued and motivated, Denbile Ottora organised community meetings, deliberated on solutions, and sent delegates to Humbo and Soddo to learn firsthand.“They came back with valuable insights,” Girma says with a smile. “That knowledge gave us hope.”

Armed with determination and new ideas, the community took action. They enclosed the mountain, protecting it from further human and animal interference, and began practising Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). “Within just two years or so, we started seeing signs of life—shrubs, grasses, and even tree roots we thought were gone,” he says. “It was like the land was breathing again.”

FMNR is a sustainable and scalable land management technique where farmers regrow trees to reverse land degradation without needing external resources. This simple approach increases food and timber production, improving resilience to climate extremes and alleviating poverty for subsistence farmers."

As the land began to recover, so did the people. Flooding became less frequent. Crops stopped being washed away. Encouraged by these early wins, the community reached out to World Vision Ethiopia for further training in FMNR techniques, like species identification, pruning, thinning, and sustainable forest management. World Vision Ethiopia, with support from BMZ, Global Forest Conservation from Germany, offered two and a half years of intensive training. He explains with gratitude, “They taught us how to manage the land better, how to harvest the benefit of the forest, like collecting fodder for our cattle, pruning branches of trees for firewood and even how to modernise our honey production.”

The impact has been transformative. The once-barren mountain is now lush with life, benefiting more than 239 households (1,434 community members). Farmland fertility has improved, honey production has increased, and leftover branches are now used for firewood and cattle fodder.

Girma, overjoyed with the restored forest and improved livelihood, exclaims, "The return of the forest has transformed our lives! Our farms are more productive, allowing us to feed our children well. We also benefit directly from the forest – using pruned branches for firewood, mowing grass for our cattle and in return, we get enough milk for our children, and even collecting honey. The weather is now cooler and more favourable, too!" 

Timotiwos, a World Vision Regional Liaison Coordinator for the FMNR Movement Catalyst Project, praises the community’s resilience. He says, “The revegetated sites are thriving because they’re protected from overuse. With the launch of its new Geresse Area Program (AP), we are actively monitoring development in the region. Building on this commitment, four additional community members have initiated their efforts to combat land degradation.”

The regenerated mountain has become a symbol of survival, resilience, and hope for Denbile Ottora. It’s proof that environmental restoration is possible when communities unite with a purpose.

As Denbile Ottora’s story shows, grassroots action can reverse environmental decline. Just as they took bold steps to restore their mountain, we too must act with urgency and intention to reduce plastic waste, protect natural ecosystems, and secure a healthier planet for future generations. Because the health of our environment is not just about the Earth, it’s about us all.

By Aklilu Kassaye, Field Communication Manager, World Vision Ethiopia