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By Tedla Yeneakal - Capital
30 November 2006
The volume of Charcoal traded from Ethiopia to the Middle East has considerably increased in the last couple of months, especially to Saudi Arabia and Dubai .
Charcoal exporters in the central market of Merkato told Capital that demand for charcoal to the Arab States has recorded an all time high sells for them as these respective countries have severely been restricted by law on charcoal production and deforestation.
“My revenue has really soared and the number of companies I supply to has increased from five to nine,” Anewar Abedurabo, a charcoal exporter said.
Huge volume of charcoal trade is quite visible on the streets of Merkato with long convoys of up to five or more heavily-loaded trucks moving along the roads and towers of charcoal sacks piled on the streets.
According to a study made by a non-governmental organization, Farm Africa, prosopis a highly invasive exotic tree, introduced to Ethiopia in the 1970s is an ideal type of wood for charcoal production that is spreading in the pastoralist areas of Ethiopia , making vast areas of land unavailable for grazing.
Reports about the massive destruction of acacia trees that are part of large forests in many parts of the country by unidentified charcoal producers has remained a headache for the government for a long time now.
Over the years environmentalists have warned about forest destruction and degradation of the earth's cover. Little, if any, has been done, to bring to court the culprits, especially illegal loggers and indiscriminate charcoal burners.
According to a recent environmental study, Ethiopia is fast and furiously eating away into the forest cover, way beyond what is recommended for sustainable ecological balance.