Protection and promotion of ecosystems

“Green” projects for the “blue” gold in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Peru and Bolivia

The WaterFoundation’s restoration projects are an important building block for a sustainable water supply and at the same time make an important contribution to combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. The latest World Climate Report has impressively demonstrated the need for conservation and reforestation measures for water resources.

The first major nature and water conservation project, “Greening Anseba”, was carried out in Eritrea from 2016 to 2018 with great success. In Dirre Inchini (Ethiopia), the WaterFoundation has planted around 500,000 trees between 2022 and 2024 and is accompanying this with training measures on the importance of forests and their sustainable management. In Peru, a new focus region, the REPANANS project has been running since the beginning of 2022 in the sparsely forested highlands of Peru, where grazing areas are being declared nature and water protection areas. There is a water source in each of the protected areas. Saplings are grown in specially established tree nurseries and later planted in the protected areas. The central goal is to replenish the groundwater reservoirs. Another project started in 2024 and has the rainforest in the Bolivian Amazon region in focus.

Deforestation, drought and soil erosion

Deforestation is a serious problem in many developing countries. The massive loss of forests has far-reaching negative effects on the environment, the local economy and society as a whole. The clearing of forest land leads to a loss of habitats for animals and plants, not only reduces soil fertility but also promotes soil erosion and flooding. Deforestation is also an important factor in climate change, as forests store carbon and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The connection between water and forests

Deforestation, clearing and grazing also have a direct impact on the water supply. This is because forests play an important role in regulating the water balance. The forest soil absorbs, filters and stores rainwater. A soil structure altered by deforestation allows rainwater to drain away more quickly. Because less water seeps into the soil, the groundwater level drops and nearby water sources can dry up. In many cases, deforestation also leads to a deterioration in water quality as sediments and pollutants enter rivers and other water sources more quickly.