Addis Ababa — Transplantation of over 93.6 million tree seedlings is underway in Gambella and SNNP states in a bid to rehabilitate the depleting forests, the Agriculture and Rural Development bureaus of the respective states said.

The transplantation in SNNPS has been carried out in 13 zones and eight special woredas since last April, according to the State Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau.

Forest Development and Protection Senior expert with the Bureau, Tsegaye Fikadu, said university and college students who are on vacation, teachers, farmers and inhabitants of rural and urban areas are taking part in the transplantation of the tree seedlings.

He said over 57.6 million tree seedlings were planted until the end of last week and the remaining would be planted by next August.

According to him, over two million people have taken part in the planting of the seedlings. The tree seedlings would cover over 2,000 hectares of denuded land.

In a similar development, the Gambella State Agriculture and Rural Development Coordination Bureau said 1.6 million tree seedlings have been readied for transplantation on denuded areas.

Natural Resources Development Protection Department Head with the Bureau, Kassu Terefe, said the seedlings would be planted by pertinent office in the state and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on 680 hectares in six woredas of the state this month.

He added that 435 hectares is also covered with fruit seedlings by involving 40,000 farmers.