Afedena (exclosure)


Afedena is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The area has been protected since 2008 by the local community.

Timeline

Environmental characteristics

As a general rule, cattle ranging and wood harvesting are not allowed. The grasses are harvested once yearly and taken to the homesteads of the village to feed livestock. Physical soil and water conservation has been implemented to enhance infiltration, and vegetation growth. There are three guards to protect the exclosure. Field observations showed that however some illegal grazing occurred in the exclosure in 2018.
in Afedena

Biodiversity

With vegetation growth, biodiversity in this exclosure hast strongly improved: there is more varied vegetation and wildlife. Along the main road that crosses the exclosure, caracals, jackals and guineafowls are frequently seen.

Benefits for the community

Setting aside such areas fits with the long-term vision of the communities were hiza’iti lands are set aside for use by the future generations. It has also direct benefits for the community: