TDA in Integrated Environmental Protection

In collaboration with our community, funding partners and the local government, Terepeza Development Association has long dreamed of carrying out a variety of physical and biological activities in the districts of Walayata Zone, Kindo Koisha, Offa, Damot Wyede, Damot Gale, Humbo, and Kindo Didaye.

Examples include Sere Balaka Kebele Amba Mountain, Sere Atalacha Kebele, Sere Basin, in Kindo Koisha Sere Funchawa Kebele Yafia Basin, in Fajena Mata Kebele Gamma Basin, in Ofa district Busha Basin, in Sere Esho Kebele Esho Basin, etc. in Kindo Koisha (today the region included in Baira Koisha).

The local government and the beneficiary society are both aware that the damaged lands have nearly entirely recovered and are now providing the local population with a source of revenue and an improvement in their standard of living.

By integrating environmental protection efforts with initiatives to increase food security and standard of living, particularly incorporating the youth segment of the population, TDA has made significant progress toward establishing a sustainable and livable environment this fiscal year.

In Sodo City, solid waste collection and disposal activities have been accomplished by involving the community, especially the youth, in order to ensure a clean city that is convenient for the community's life, and by raising the community's awareness. These activities go hand in hand with the recovery of damaged lands in rural areas.

In Offa, Sodo Zuria, and Baira Koisha districts as well as in Sodo city, carry out environmental preservation efforts with the following areas of focus:-

1. Forming clubs for environmental and personal hygiene awareness in schools:

8 schools overall (5 primary schools in Fana, Lintala, Datta Sana, Larena and American Academy Primary Schools and 3 secondary schools in Gututo, Otona and Sodo General Secondary Schools) By creating clubs and enlisting club members as club members, a total of 67 (50 male and 27 female) members of the school community were instructed in environmental and personal hygiene principles and practices. They were also given training in solid waste disposal and recycling methods and were supported and monitored for further outcomes. Making use of the highland cuttings from felled trees, those who have received training are creating an action strategy, organizing a campaign to raise awareness about solid waste management and disposal, and enhancing food security.

2. Promoting proper solid waste management among hoteliers and their families:

A total of 100 families and 40 hotel and restaurant proprietors have received integrated solid waste management training from the association. The instruction concentrated on trash identification, recycling and disposal, composting, and gardening using biodegradable materials. Following the program, participants will be better equipped to sort and dispose of solid waste, generate compost, engage in gardening, and work toward increasing their food security.

3. Establishing a platform for environmental protection:

Specifically discussing solid waste management and eucalyptus trees' detrimental effects on environmental deterioration, decreased production, and productivity, TDA arranged a discussion in which 46 (male 32; female 14) different stakeholders took part. The stakeholders created an implementation plan the day after the forum to inform the public and direct the creation and execution of the following zonal policy.

A few examples of productive outcomes in the fields of contemporary agriculture and environmental protection:

• Smallholder farmers have been able to reduce soil erosion and improve soil moisture and fertility by implementing no-till (CA) farming and sustainable farming.
• Climate change; It has been possible to bring back crops that were disappearing due to the lack of attention due to regular extension and unsustainable and modern farming practices of our farmers.
• At the level of individual farmers, it is possible to produce more products in terms of type and quantity, but in general, production and productivity have been increased in these areas.
• Contributing to the improvement of environmental biodiversity;
• The number of farmers who are ensuring their food security by eating from home throughout the year is increasing due to the production of many types of products (more than one product, such as crops, flowers, root crops, vegetables and fruits, as well as spices).
• This climate change resistant and sustainable production method not only helps smallholder farmers to earn more income, but also increases their resilience to the risks associated with climate change.

• In order to restore endangered crops and enable them to be supported by extension, a supporting document has been prepared and presented to the government structures.
• 15 youths organized and took 1.75 ha of damaged land from the government in Adaye Dakaya Kebele of Bayra Koisha district for free and carried out soil and water conservation work to restore the damaged land.
• 31 farmers (male 23 female 3) dug the water wells at their own expense and the association supported them by providing pumps and other necessary materials and covering the cost of the artisans.
• 267 farmers (males 209, females 58) living together in one village were given theoretical and practical training in gardening production and marketing, composting and herbal tea production. They are starting to get it.
• 8 sub-watersheds have been demarcated with the involvement of the community and freed from grazing (animal contact) so that they can be used for soil and water conservation and sustainable community development.

Serving the whole person!