Impacts of Deforestation on Rural Livelihoods: The Case of Kuyu Woreda, Central Ethiopia

Erba, Tilahun Bayou (2010) Impacts of Deforestation on Rural Livelihoods: The Case of Kuyu Woreda, Central Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the most severely affected country in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly by deforestation, which resulted in soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and degradation of agricultural land. The full implication of loss of forest resources as well as the root causes should recognized in order to conserve and manage the remaining vegetation cover of the country. The main objective of this study is to assess the impacts of deforestation on rural livelihoods in kuyu district. The data for the study were collected using survey questionnaire including informal interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Four kebeles were selected purposely where the vegetation cover is found and forest products are supplied. Ninety households were considered for analysis of data the data. Households’ size from each kebeles was selected through systematic random sampling based on their proportion household number. The results of investigation showed that, vegetation of the study area is highly degraded. The area, once two decades years ago were under vegetation are changed into other land uses such as farming land and range land. The section of the vegetation close to town area has high degree of deforestation. Some scattered vegetation was observed along river valleys, mugger gorge and on other inaccessible area. Rising demand for forest product, population growth, low perception of inhabitants towards environmental roles of forest, lack of alternative economic activities and land holding conditions of the inhabitants are the major causes of forest destruction. Moreover, failure to relate forestry policy to overall development, lack of commitment at individual level and organizational and lack of rural participation in forest conservation are some of prevailing constraints of forest resources. Environmental impacts of deforestation, which influence rural livelihoods, were observed in the study area. Soil erosion, loss of biodiversity (flora and fauna), and rainfall and water variability are among the major one. Therefore, it is suggested that among other things, increasing the real income of the peasants, diversifying the rural economy, subsidizing basic commercial farm inputs, providing affordable to fuel wood, incorporation of local knowledge, resolving conflicts between users right and management responsibility through introducing benefit sharing system and awaking the peasants continuously on issues related to forest resource management and family planning must receive policy attention to reduce forest destruction.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
S Agriculture > SD Forestry
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Geoffrey Obatsa
Date Deposited: 21 May 2019 11:27
Last Modified: 21 May 2019 11:27
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/9223

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