Kindeya Gebrehiwot | |
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![]() Kindeya Gebrehiwot | |
President of Mekelle University | |
In office 2013–2020 | |
Preceded by | Joachim Herzig |
Succeeded by | Fetien Abay [1] [2] |
Personal details | |
Born | 1973 Abiy Addi,Tigray Province,Ethiopian Empire |
Residence(s) | Mekelle,Ethiopia |
Alma mater | Göttingen University [3] |
Profession | Professor of Forestry |
Kindeya Gebrehiwot (born 1973) is an Ethiopian academic who is currently Professor of Forestry at Mekelle University (Ethiopia),undertaking research on forest regeneration,particularly frankincense trees. He studies the threats to this flagship species,particularly in relation to regrowth and tapping. [4] He was also President of Mekelle University.
Kindeya Gebrehiwot's research area encompasses sustainable management of dry tropical forests and reforestation. Such deciduous dry forests of the Sahelian regions are the poor parents when it comes to research on the ecology and conservation of natural resources,given their relatively lesser importance in terms of biological diversity. However,they play an extremely important role in ensuring the ecological balance in dry areas,in contributing to the diversity of natural habitats,in protecting soils from erosion,and in regulating the water cycle. These forests also contribute to the protection of the livelihoods of the inhabitants of Abergelle where the research is mainly conducted. The supply of energy,materials,food and commercial products is considered. [7]
Sustainable forest management that meets social,economic and environmental objectives requires an in-depth knowledge of how this type of forest ecosystem works. Studies have focused on resilience to withstand the pressures of exploitation,and regeneration capabilities. Kindeya's research makes an important contribution to improving this knowledge. [8] It is this knowledge that allows the Tigray society to tackle the problem of maintaining forest resources (especially Boswellia papyrifera incense species) in relation to their vulnerability (hydrological stress,grazing,and overexploitation,mainly). The economic importance of products from this species,particularly incense,must also be taken into account. Kindeya's research has identified a number of needs,not only in terms of future research,but also in terms of management plans and legal framework. [4] Realistically,Kindeya discussed the dilemma between the self-sufficiency needs of the neighbouring population:how to combine the exclosure of Boswellia forests with the need for people to support themselves in an area that is naturally very dry. Suggested solutions include a ban on access to livestock (exclosure) or even local restrictions on incense harvesting. [9]
The Tigray,officially the Tigray National Regional State,is the northernmost regional state in Ethiopia. The Tigray Region is the homeland of the Tigrayan,Irob and Kunama people. Its capital and largest city is Mekelle. Tigray is the fifth -largest by area,the fourth-most populous,and the fifth-most densely populated of the 11 regional states.
Dogu'a Tembien is a woreda in Tigray Region,Ethiopia. It is named in part after the former province of Tembien. Nowadays,the mountainous district is part of the Southeastern Tigray Zone. The administrative centre of this woreda is Hagere Selam.
Mekelle University is a higher education and training public institution located in Mekelle,Tigray Region,Ethiopia,783 kilometers north of Ethiopia's capital,Addis Ababa. Mekelle University is one of the largest public universities in Ethiopia. It has seven colleges,eight institutes,and more than 90 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programs. The student intake capacity of Mekelle University has reached 31,000 or 10% of Mekelle's population.
Boswellia papyrifera,also known as the Sudanese frankincense,is a species of flowering plant and frankincense that is native to Ethiopia,Eritrea and Sudan. The tree is cultivated in Ethiopia because of its valuable resin. The incense is characterized by a fresh lemon-pine scent and is therefore highly esteemed. In Ethiopia where it is called itan zaf,it comes in semi-translucent yellow tears. The gum resin of Boswellia papyrifera coming from Ethiopia,Sudan and eastern Africa is believed to be the main source of frankincense of antiquity.
In the late nineteenth century,about 30% of Ethiopia was covered with forest. The clearing of land for agricultural use and the cutting of trees for fuel gradually changed the scene,and today forest areas have dwindled to less than 4% of Ethiopia's total land. The northern parts of the highlands are almost devoid of trees. However,about 45,000 square kilometres of dense forest exist in the southern and southwestern sections of the highlands. Some of these include coniferous forests,found at elevations above 1,600 meters,but a majority of the forestland consists primarily of woodlands found in drier areas of the highlands and in the drier areas bordering the highlands.
The Relief Society of Tigray is an NGO based in Tigray,northern Ethiopia. REST was founded in 1978 as an organisation providing relief efforts to civilians. As of 2008,Teklewoini Assefa served as Executive Director of REST. REST emerged as the humanitarian wing of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and has remained closely linked to TPLF. REST was active throughout the armed conflict of the 1980s,including during the devastating 1984–1985 famine. Since the 1990s it is the major NGO operating in Tigray.
Incensole is a C20 diterpene alcohol and biomarker for some plants of the Boswellia genus. It,along with its acetate ester incensole acetate,is an abundant component of frankincense,the resin collected from Boswellia trees. Incensole is used archaeologically to assist in identifying trade routes and distinguishing the identity of frankincense from other resins which may have been used together in incense and other salves. Incensole has also been deemed to be an active component in medicinal frankincense.
Amanit is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is Addi Qeshofo village,located approximately 15 km to the southeast of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Debre Nazret is a tabia or municipality in the Inderta district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. It belonged to Dogu'a Tembien up to January 2020. The tabia centre is in Togogwa town,located approximately 19 km to the east-southeast of Hagere Selam and 25 km to the west of Mekelle.
Addi Azmera is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The name refers to good spring rains (“azmera”),in relation to the local microclimate. The tabia centre is in Tukhul town,located approximately half-way between the woreda town Hagere Selam and the regional capital Mekelle.
Emni Ankelalu is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Mitslal Afras village,located approximately 20 km to the east of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Addilal is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Addilal village,located approximately 19 km (12 mi) to the east of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Inda Sillasie is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Migichi village,located approximately 13 km to the south-southeast of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Simret is a municipality in the Tanqua Millash district of the Tigray Region,Ethiopia,which comprises the longest cave of Tigray in Zeyi,as well as Ras Alula’s birthplace in Mennewe. The municipality centre is in Dengolo village. Until January 2020,Simret belonged to the Dogu'a Tembien district.
Walta is a municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Da’erere village,located approximately 7 km to the south of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Mizane Birhan is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Ma’idi village,located approximately 13 km to the southeast of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Selam is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Addi Werho village,located approximately 3 km to the northeast of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Lim’at is a tabia in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Maygwa village,located approximately 8 km to the southwest of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Ayninbirkekin is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Literal meaning of Ayninbirkekin in Tigrinya is "We will not bend". The tabia centre is in Halah village,located approximately 8 km to the east of the woreda town Hagere Selam. Main town is Ala'isa,situated on the ridge overseeing the Giba valley.
The EthioTrees Ecosystem Restoration Association,in short EthioTrees,established in 2016,is a project for environmental rehabilitation and woodland restoration in Dogu’a Tembien (Ethiopia).