ADDIS ABABA, March 20 – Participatory forest management is proving a viable approach in the protection and maintenance of the environment in a country that has experienced continuous deforestation, EFDRE President Girma W. Giorgis said on Monday.

Speaking at the opening of the three-day international conference on Participatory Forest management (PFM) yesterday, President Girma said participatory forest management – which he said involves controlled and organized community management systems – has offered good opportunity in maintaining the environment, as seen in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa.