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Addis Ababa University Libraries Electronic Thesis and Dissertations: AAU-ETD! >
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Thesis - Environmental Sciences >
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http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1758
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| Title: | Assessment of Ecotourism Potentials for Sustainable Natural Resources Management in and Around Abijata-Shala Lakes National Park in the Central Ethiopian Rift Valley |
| Authors: | Adem, Gobena |
| Advisors: | Dr. Hammed Sulieman
Dr. Taddesse W/Mariam |
| Keywords: | Ecotourism
leakage
Park
Poverty alleviation
Tourism |
| Copyright: | Mar-2008 |
| Date Added: | 16-Dec-2008 |
| Publisher: | Addis Ababa University |
| Abstract: | In the face of degradations of natural resources and lack of alternative options, there are
potentials of ecotourism in and around Abijata Shala Lake National Park (ASLNP) which
degraded by anthropogenic activities .The major objective of this study was assessing these
potentials of ecotourism or alternative options for sustainable use of natural resources
which will improve the livelihood of local communities and conservation of ASLNP.
Survey questionnaires and literature reviews were employed to collect primary and
secondary data and to assess the socio-economic situation of the households, ecotourism
resources, and the related problems of natural resource managements to come up with
solutions. Five peasant associations were selected using purposive sampling from 18
peasant associations in and around ASLNP. Thereafter, 168 households were selected from
1334 targeted populations (households) of five peasant associations by systematic sampling
(i.e., from a list in a certain order in which every eighth household was chosen). Survey
questionnaires were employed to collect information from households of local people, four
hotels or lodges, tourists, ASLNP and other related stakeholders like Oromia Bureau of
Agriculture and Rural Development and Cultural and Tourism offices at different
administration levels. The respondents of different stakeholders except households of local
people and tourists have been selected by purposive sampling in order to get related
information to the research. About 58 respondents of tourists were selected by random
sampling from 290-targeted tourists of those visiting ASLNP in September 2007. The
analyses of the study revealed that natural and cultural resources such as abundance and
diversity of bird, scenic landscape, ostrich farm, hot springs, cultural and historical
attractions and some hotels or lodges at nearby areas are the main ecotourism potential in
ASLNP. Deforestation, expansion of farming, overgrazing and over extraction of water
coupled with conflicts between park and local communities are detected as the major
problem contributors to the degradations of natural resources of the area. The study also
revealed some income generating alternatives or ecotourism potentials which could help
to reduce the present degradations of natural resources of the park. About 37.2% of
sampled households expressed their interests for diversified livelihood or ecotourism activities. Offering tourist facilities and services and creating job opportunities for
members of local communities are the positive impacts of the tourism activities whereas
cutting trees, occurrences of seasonality and leakages are the negative impacts. The
negative impacts might be able to aggravate poverty and consequent deterioration of
tourism resources/natural resources. Finally, reinforcing existing off-agricultural
livelihoods, introducing additional alternative options or ecotourism are important strategic
directions for sustainable management of natural resources for ASLNP and related
protected areas. |
| Description: | Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University in Partial
Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in
Environmental Science |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1758 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Environmental Sciences
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