The Bureau of Environmental Protection and Rural Land Administration is mandated to plan, coordinate, regulate, and oversee environmental protection, forest development, biodiversity conservation, climate change response, and rural land administration activities across the Somali Regional State, in accordance with Proclamation No. 185/2011 E.C.

The Bureau is responsible for developing and enforcing environmental policies and regulations, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments, promoting sustainable forest and biodiversity management, coordinating climate change actions, and ensuring transparent and sustainable rural land administration.

Environmental Impact Assessment helps identify and mitigate potential environmental and social impacts of development projects before implementation. It supports sustainable development, protects ecosystems and public health, and ensures that development decisions are informed and responsible.

The Bureau strengthens climate resilience by supporting adaptation and mitigation measures, providing climate information, promoting green technologies, rehabilitating degraded lands, and coordinating climate actions with national and regional frameworks.

The Bureau promotes sustainable forest development, nursery establishment, afforestation and reforestation programs, and biodiversity conservation. It works to protect ecosystems, conserve wildlife, and support community participation in natural resource management.

The Bureau improves rural land governance by ensuring land tenure security, proper land registration, transparent land administration systems, and public awareness of land rights and responsibilities, contributing to social stability and sustainable land use.

The Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) is Ethiopia’s nationwide reforestation and ecosystem restoration program launched in 2019 to combat climate change, restore degraded lands, and strengthen food and economic security. In the Somali Regional State, the Initiative is implemented through large-scale tree planting, nursery development, rangeland and watershed rehabilitation, and strong community participation, contributing to increased forest cover, improved biodiversity, reduced carbon emissions, and sustainable livelihoods.

The public can participate through community tree planting campaigns, nursery support programs, awareness activities, and coordination with local administrations and the Bureau during Green Legacy seasons.

Yes. The Bureau collaborates with regional and federal institutions, UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, and community organizations to implement environmental and land-related programs.