Dr. Wudassie Yohannes.

Abstract.

This study investigates the factors which contribute to the degradation of the environment using Eritrea and Tigray as case studies. Its purpose is to identify the methods of rational exploitation of the resources to suggest solutions for recovering the degraded environment and to

produce an inventory of land resources.

This work draws on data gathered through interviews, personal communications and on primary and secondary sources collected from varied sources. The earlier chapters are devoted to a study of the soil composition, vegetation and water resources of the regions and gives an overview of the demographic characteristics of Eritrea and Tigray.

Historical works have shown the importance of this region as one where the domestication of a number of plants first occurred. Thus this is an area with a long-standing tradition of agricultural production and where indigenous land tenure systems evolved. Through times these changed and adapted to different conditions but it is certainly under colonial domination that the most dramatic changes occurred. Commercial agriculture was introduced and intensive exploitation of natural reserves became the norm both under Italian and British administration.

Up till very recently this exploitation of natural vegetation for timber and fuelwood was not accompanied by any re-afforestation measures. This had severe consequences on the environment and as a result on humans too.

As well as describing land uses today in Eritrea and Tigray, this work analyses the relationship between man, livestock and land and the effect on the environmental balance.

The author concludes with some recommendations: comprehensive environments planning and management is needed at regional level. Research should be done in conjunction with farmers who have some demands to formulate such as the improvement of their traditional methods. All levels of education should emphasise the importance of conservation in maintaining the environmental equilibrium and finally to achieve this a peaceful environment is a pre-condition to success.