Pastoralists in the northern Somali region of Sool have started using wire fencing to corral their animals to avoid cutting down endangered indigenous thorn trees.

For about the cost of a goat, which is $70 to $80, they are investing in steel fencing wire to make an animal pen that can simply be rolled up and carried when they move away in search of water and grazing.

Khadar Salah Mahamud, a herder in Himidka, 90 km north of Lasanod, told Radio Ergo they switched to wire fencing after seeing the adverse effects of tree-cutting on the environment on which their livelihoods depend.

“We realised that our grazing lands were becoming barren due to the relentless cutting of both the small and large trees. A family would likely cut up to 100 trees just to build an enclosure for their herd,” he told Radio Ergo.

He continued: “Apart from saving the trees, the fences have saved the families the hassle of building enclosures. They can easily roll up the fencing and move with it. Also, unlike the thorn bush fences, the wire fences don’t have thorns that prick the animals.”

Khadar, a father of six, keeps 180 goats. He bought wire fencing four months ago for $80. He estimates that 120 pastoralists like him living in the vicinity of 40 square kilometres, in Himidka, Banadde and Buranod areas, have caught on to the idea.

Hassan Yusuf Diriye, father of 13 and a pastoralist living in Buranod, 85 km north of Lasanod, told Radio Ergo that he was one of the first people to stand up to protect the trees. He has been encouraging others to follow his example.

Hassan believes trees are vital to the local environment and the sustainability of the pastoralist way of life that has suffered setbacks from repetitive harsh droughts in recent years.

“The animals appear more comfortable with the wire fencing,” he declared. “It protects them from the hyenas which were getting through the thorn bush, and it saves the trees that they depend on as fodder.

Already we see many trees coming back to the area.”

Hassan cautioned that many types of trees that used to be common, like Acacia and other thorn varieties, are now becoming rare. He and others have been engaged in efforts to protect trees for nearly a year and have already seen success, as some of the trees are growing back.

Jama Ahmed Du’ale, an environment expert and professor at Nugal University in Lasanod, welcomed the pastoralist’s effort and initiative to protect the trees.

“Trees are living beings, just like people and animals; they are indeed essential to our ecosystem. So I really commend the steps the pastoralists in this region have taken. They ought to be congratulated for their efforts to safeguard our environment and protect what is left of our trees,” he said.

Source: Radio Ergo