Water resources of a country contribute both directly and indirectly towards itsWater resources of a country contribute both directly and indirectly towards itsdevelopment. Water resources have economic, cultural and social impacts. Incase of developing nations, the interaction of water resources with the livesof the lower income group in particular is complex in character and operates in multipledimensions—providing water for safe drinking and other livelihood needs (livelihoodsecurity), reducing health risks and vulnerability, promoting pro-poor economic growthand alleviating poverty. Therefore, investing in water infrastructure and management hasmajor ramifications on the socio-economic progress of a developing nation.In this context, monitoring of water resources becomes crucial. It involves checking thehealth of water bodies, their usability and the seasonal variation in their characteristics,and identifying the sources that might be impacting their quality. Monitoring is a vital toolfor designing and implementing, and renewing sound, robust and scientific policies andmanagement plans for water resources.In the Ethiopian scenario, monitoring is even more important due to the specific needs ofthe people of the country. The Ethiopian government has come to recognize the importanceof its water resources as a major asset for the country’s continuous economic development.Over 45 per cent of Ethiopia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depends on agriculture,1which in turn depends on the available of suitable water resources; almost 85 per cent of theEthiopian population lives in the rural areas,2 therefore, the dependence on water resourcesis significant. This underlines the importance of water resources in Ethiopia’s economic andsocial development.

Ethiopia has devised a multipronged approachEthiopia has devised a multipronged approachto becoming a middle-income countrywhile mitigating and adapting to a changingclimate. Increasing the number of trees inagricultural, pastoral, and forest landscapesfeatures prominently in this approach. In itsdevelopment blueprint, the Climate ResilientGreen Economy Strategy, Ethiopia aims by2030 to sustainably manage 4 million hectaresof forest, afforest 2 million hectares, andreforest 1 million hectares. Ethiopia is alsocommitted to contributing to the African ForestLandscape Restoration Initiative, the BonnChallenge, and the New York Declaration onForests by restoring 15 million hectares ofdegraded and deforested land within the sametime frame.Version 0.0 of the National Tree-BasedLandscape Restoration Potential and PriorityMaps presented in this report constitutes afirst step in planning Ethiopia’s large-scale,coordinated restoration efforts.