Eritrea was endowed with an abundant and diversified plant species, but due to mismanagement continuing for a century, the long-drawn-out war and recurrent droughts these natural resources have declined dramatically. Thus, forest cover, which once covered some 30% of the total land area of the country, has been drastically reduced and reached less than 1% (FAO, 1997. In many parts of Eritrea, a sizeable forest cover that plays an important social and economic role. The forestry formations, which include the highland forests (Juniperus procera, and Olea africana) which cover about 0.8 %, mixed woodlands of Acacia spp. and associated species, grasslands and woodland, riverine forests and mangrove vegetation cover about 13.5 % of the total surface area of the country. The depletion of vegetation has resulted in shortage of fuel and construction wood, excessive soil erosion, vanishing wildlife, siltation of dams and general environmental degradation. Particularly, at household level an immense amount of wood is consumed for cooking purpose. Studies showed that more than 80% of Eritrea's total domestic energy use is dependent on biomass including wood, dung and crop residues. Therefore, the combination of high demand for firewood and inefficient method of use has contributed to deforestation and shortage of energy sources.

To alleviate this problem the Government of Eritrea (GoE) is working diligently on the afforestation program. In areas where there is adequate rainfall with high soil moisture retention tree seedlings able to survive but in most cases, seedlings couldn?t endure the long dry period. Thus, there is a need to undertake a soil and water conservation activity (hillside terrace) in order to retain high soil moisture in raining season and to plant drought resistant and fast-growing plants like Eucalyptus and other locally adapted trees which can serve as woodlot and source of income to the community.

Project?s goal is to contribute to the improvement of environmental conditions, to prevent siltation of the proposed dam and rural livelihoods. Project will therefore restore original vegetation and additional beneficial species. Homestead plantation of commercial importance will be highly encouraged.

Project objectives include the rehabilitation of degraded land, enhancement of biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement of rural target community.
Project activities include site selection, soil and water conservation measures, pit excavation, plantation of selected tree species of Juniperus procera, ¬¬¬¬Olea africana and eucalyptus and integration with existing management system.
The total budget of the project is US$ 122,436.07 with SGP support of US$ 50,000.