The Bureau of Environmental Protection and Rural Land Administration is one of the Regional Cabinet Bureaus. It was initially established as the Bureau of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on 10/11/2011 E.C., in accordance with Proclamation No. 185/2011 E.C. In 2014 E.C., the Regional Cabinet decided to expand the Bureau’s mandate by incorporating the Rural Land Administration Department, thereby strengthening its institutional scope and responsibilities.

The Bureau is mandated to protect the environment; promote the development and sustainable utilization of forest resources; conserve biodiversity; and design and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. In addition, it formulates rural land management policies and monitors economic, social, cultural, and environmental changes within communities, particularly those affected by climate change, while promoting sustainable development and good governance.

The Bureau actively participates in national forums and provides assessments on the causes and impacts of climate change, including recurrent droughts and appropriate response mechanisms. It contributes to the realization of a Climate-Resilient Green Economy through environmental and social impact assessments, research activities, and the formulation and enforcement of relevant policies, laws, and proclamations. These include measures to combat deforestation, illegal charcoal trade, and wildlife poaching, as well as the enforcement of rural land use laws through the issuance of legal land certification documents to rural communities.

Furthermore, the Bureau undertakes studies and interventions aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands and flood-affected areas. This is achieved through the establishment of nursery sites and the planting of various tree and plant species, in support of the effective implementation of the Regional and National Green Legacy Programs.

In line with these responsibilities, the Regional Government developed a ten-year strategic framework that identifies key environmental, forest, and biodiversity challenges and outlines priority strategic interventions across the three subsectors. These strategic pillars guide efforts to address the impacts of global climate change and to build resilient systems and communities by the end of 2025. Despite being a relatively young institution, the Bureau has successfully implemented a range of activities as reflected in its annual plans.

Accordingly, the Bureau has carried out continuous activities focused on monitoring and controlling environmental pollution and waste. Its planning and implementation processes are guided by the Bureau’s Mission, Vision, Values, strategic priorities, and performance reviews of previous fiscal years, ensuring institutional continuity and accountability.