The forests of Ethiopia are not only biodiversity reserves—ecosystem or nature based solution for climate change-they are also spiritual spaces/ paces mediation , deeply woven into our worship, rituals, and memory. Among them, the Sacred Forests surrounding churches, Mesjids, Cemeteries and monasteries stand out as living expressions of our covenant with the Creator.
Sacred Forests: A Divine Trust and a National Nature Based Climate Solution
As religious institutions committed to both faith and public responsibility, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Development and Inter Church Aid Commission (EOTC-DICAC), the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus– Development and Social Services Commission. (EECMY-DASSC), and the Ethiopian Muslim Relief and Development Association (EMRDA) affirm that caring for the natural environment is a sacred obligation. The forests of Ethiopia are not only biodiversity reserves—ecosystem or nature based solution for climate change-they are also spiritual spaces/ paces mediation , deeply woven into our worship, rituals, and memory. Among them, the Sacred Forests surrounding churches, Mesjids, Cemeteries and monasteries stand out as living expressions of our covenant with the Creator.
From the teachings of our sacred scriptures, this responsibility is clear. The Bible tells us, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15), charging humanity with the task of protecting creation. Likewise, the Qur’an declares: “It is He who has made you successors upon the Earth” (Surah Al-An’am 6:165), and warns: “Do not cause corruption on the Earth after it has been set in order” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:56). Islamic scholars such as Allama Tabataba’i, in Tafsir al-Mizan, stress that environmental destruction is a betrayal of the trust (amanah) God has placed on human beings as khalifa—stewards of His creation.
In light of the above, sacred Forests are more than cultural relics—they are a moral responsibility and a climate adaptation asset. They play various functions; ecosystem function like regulate local climates, protect water sources, preserve biodiversity, sequester carbon, has medical value, serve as income source etc. At times when Ethiopia faces increasing droughts, floods, and land degradation, these forests serve as natural buffers that reduce the impact of climate shocks by conserving soil moisture, preventing erosion, regulating water cycles, and supporting local biodiversity and livelihoods.
Yet, despite their vital ecological, cultural, and spiritual significance, sacred forests remain unrecognized in Ethiopia’s national legal framework. The Forest Proclamation No. 1065/2018 classifies forests as state, private, community, or association-owned—but does not acknowledge forests located within places of worship as a distinct category. In practice, such sacred forests are often informally grouped under private forests, a classification that fails to capture their communal ownership, spiritual meaning, and the longstanding stewardship traditions upheld by both Christian and Muslim communities. This omission renders “spiritually protected” forests—though deeply respected and conserved by faith groups—invisible in national climate strategies, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and REDD+ mechanisms. Furthermore, the terminology “spiritually protected” may itself lead to unintended religious connotations or misinterpretations; thus, referring to them as “forests within worship places” may offer a more inclusive and context-sensitive alternative. Ultimately, this is not merely a policy oversight—it is a missed opportunity to align traditional, faith-led conservation wisdom with modern resilience planning and ecological restoration efforts.
Given the significance of Sacred Forests, we call upon the Ethiopian government and relevant institutions to formally register Sacred Forests as a distinct legal forest category than categorizing it with private forests. This recognition is essential if we are to unlock the full contribution of faith-based environmental protection to Ethiopia’s climate goals. It will enable legal protection, resource allocation, and the meaningful inclusion of religious communities in national climate responses.
Faith communities have safeguarded these forests for centuries, often without external support. We are ready to continue this work—but we ask that policy recognize what theology has long affirmed: that creation is sacred, and that protecting it is a religious duty.
Let Ethiopia be a leader in combining spiritual values with scientific foresight. Recognizing Sacred Forests as a legal forest category is not only a strategy for environmental preservation—it is a testament to our national integrity, faith, and vision for a resilient future.
Technical Brief: Sacred Forests in Ethiopia – Bridging Spiritual and Ecological Conservation
Sacred Forests: A Faith-Based Solution for Climate Adaptation in Ethiopia
Across Ethiopia, Sacred Forests have long stood as spiritual sanctuaries and ecological strongholds. Rooted in religious tradition, these forests are protected not by formal boundaries but by the faith and conviction of communities that revere the land as sacred. Today, three of Ethiopia’s leading religious institutions—the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC), the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission. (EECMY-DASSC), and the Ethiopian Muslim Relief and Development Association (EMRDA)—are leading an interfaith movement to protect these forests and promote climate adaptation across the country.
These Sacred Forests—surrounding churches, Mesjids, and places of worship—are more than historical relics. They function as vital ecosystems, regulating water flow, storing carbon, sheltering biodiversity, and serving as refuges for spiritual and cultural expression. Yet, despite their value, they remain unrecognized in national forest law. Ethiopia’s Forest Proclamation No. 1065/2018 includes state, private, community, and association forests—but omits sacred and religious forests altogether (Ethiopian Forest Proclamation, 2018). This legal gap leaves hundreds of spiritually governed forest patches vulnerable to encroachment and neglect.
Scientific research confirms the ecological value of these forests. Many of them preserve 30–50% more biodiversity than the surrounding areas and serve as micro-climate regulators in regions facing deforestation (Cardelús et al., 2019). A single 10-hectare sacred forest can store over 1,000 metric tons of carbon, making these sites significant contributors to climate mitigation (Aerts et al., 2016).
But these religious communities are not only preserving forests—they are restoring them. In recent years, the EECMY, EMRDA, and EOC have collectively planted over 30 million tree seedlings across Ethiopia through coordinated campaigns, local mobilization, and partnerships with communities, synods, and Mesjid committees (EOC-DICAC Report, 2024). This unprecedented interfaith commitment demonstrates how faith actors are uniquely positioned to deliver large-scale environmental action with moral legitimacy and grassroots reach.
The EECMY has integrated climate resilience into its theology, training pastors and communities to embrace sustainable land use and environmental justice as part of holistic ministry. EMRDA has championed environmental education within Muslim communities, encouraging reforestation as an act of faith and responsibility. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, through centuries of spiritual forest guardianship, continues to lead in community-based restoration of degraded areas and protection of existing Church Forests.
Despite this momentum, Sacred Forests remain absent from Ethiopia’s national climate planning instruments, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and REDD+ strategies. This disconnect between policy and practice undermines local conservation efforts led by religious institutions and weakens national climate adaptation goals.
We urge the Ethiopian government to formally recognize Sacred Forests as a distinct forest category, and to integrate their protection into climate resilience strategies. Recognition must be accompanied by legal protection, technical support, and inclusion in national reforestation and land restoration initiatives. Funding for research and community documentation is also essential to better understand the role of these forests in both ecosystem preservation and spiritual life.
In elevating Sacred Forests from overlooked groves to pillars of Ethiopia’s climate future, we are not only preserving trees—we are also protecting the heritage, values, and survival of communities. The leadership of EECMY, EMRDA, and EOC proves that climate action through faith is both possible and powerful. Sacred Forests are living symbols of harmony between people, nature, and spiritual purpose—essential for a future of justice and resilience.
References
Mela’eke Selam Lealem, a dedicated priest deeply invested in the well-being of his community, resides In the Awi Zone, Banja Woreda, Bassa Kebele.