ADDIS ABABA—Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MFECC) said that it has been endeavoring to double the current forest coverage of the country to 30 percent in the coming 15 years. Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Forestry Resource Inventory and Management Director General at the Ministry, TeshomeTamrat said that Ethiopia has been implementing climate change combating strategy. The move is bearing fruitful results. ‘‘Ethiopia has been affected by climate change catastrophes. The El-Niño-induced drought which had broke out two years ago could be best example. The degree was extremely severe that the nation had never seen it over the last fifteen years,’’ he stated, adding: if the nation diligently works in natural conservation projects, it could realize the goal of creating Climate Resilient Economy. Ethiopia loses 73,000 hectare of forest due to deforestation and wildfire every year and this affects the nation to be vulnerable to climate change catastrophes, according to him. ‘‘Our country had 30 percent forest coverage in the late 19th century. Tumbling down this number has reached 3.5 percent. This should be taken as a huge blow to a drought-prone nation like ours. Now, reforestation process should be reinvigorated to maximize the forest coverage of the country,’’ Tosheme points out. After hailing Tigray State for its achievements in natural conservation activities he emphesized other states should scale up this remarkable success story. ‘‘What Tigray State has done on water and soil conservation and environmental restoration is really incredible. It has won global award for its glaring achievements. Other states should take Tigray as bench mark in environmental conservation and restoration works.’’ According to him, 15 hectare of land has been rehabilitated nationwide and the reforestation project would continue in sustainable manner. Teshome is hopeful that the reforestation effort underway would cut down carbon emissions to zero in the coming 15 years.