Azerbaijani Community Takes Ownership of Environmental Issue
There is an Azerbaijani proverb that says: “Every man must build a house, bring up a son and plant tree plant in his life”. In Azerbaijan, taking care of nature and one’s family is part of life.
With its abundant forest and natural springs, the village of Ojakeran in Astara is already one of the most picturesque villages in southern Azerbaijan. But the trees in Ojakeran are not just for pleasure; they provide delicious fruits and fuel for the chilled winters. Without gas and regular electricity service, the trees in Astara are being extensively harvested as firewood for heating.
And as the population increases, so do agricultural needs. Much of Azerbaijan’s natural forests have been destroyed for firewood, to create water reservoirs, and for other purposes. Responsibility and awareness is vital to keeping nature vibrant.
Fortunately, forests are renewable. A number of organizations are carrying out work for their protection, and the improvement of the environment by planting trees. One of these organizations, ADRA, has been implementing its program for the planting, cultivation and distribution of trees for years. USAID’s Community Development Activity program has partnered with ADRA to protect the environment across Azerbaijan by providing trainings to local project field offices on seasonal tree planting and facilitating ADRA’s contribution of over 40,000 trees to communities.
Following the successful completion of its first Community Development Activity – a road repair project – Ojakeran was offered the opportunity to take part in the ADRA program. The community knew the trees would help them address their environmental issues, but ultimately decided that they needed to take ownership of their own issue and assume responsibility for their environment themselves. Ojakeran turned down the offer for free trees and instead started their own independent project. The Ojakeran Community Council collected money from citizens, and then purchased and planted 2,000 trees on their own.
Agahadash Aghayev, a council leader expressed his appreciation to USAID and ADRA for enlightening his community about environmental sustainability and took great pride in his fellow citizens' efforts to address their own community’s problem.
In the end, Ojakeran not only helped itself, it also assisted other communities by passing along the free trees from ADRA.
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Ojakeran children plant donated trees in front of their school
Photo Credit: Musa Teymurov, CHF |
Donated trees from ADRA ready to be dilevered to commumity
Photo Credit: Musa Teymurov, CHF |
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