Browsing by Author "Mekete Bekele"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Determinants of Livestock and Feed Water Productivity in the Mixed Crop–Livestock Production System of Debre Berhan Milkshed, Central Highlands of Ethiopia
    (2018-05) Mekete Bekele; Ashenafi Mengistu
    The study was conducted in the mixed crop-livestock system of Debre Berhan milkshed in central highlands of Ethiopia to assess and determine agricultural water productivity related to livestock production and explore their determinants. The need to meet the growing demand for livestock products and services coupled with multiple uses of water is expected to intensify pressure on finite freshwater. Knowing the level of freshwater consumption for livestock production is relevant to devise strategies for efficient water use and allocation in the system. A multistage sampling procedure was followed to select 159 farmers from different wealth status (50 in the poor, 58 in the medium and 51 in the better-off) grouped mainly based on land and livestock ownership. Livestock products and services, and feed dry matter obtained at farm level over the year were used as numerators to estimate livestock water productivity (LWP) and feed water productivity (FWP), respectively. The volume of water evapotranspired for feed production was used as a common denominator for both LWP and FWP. Cultivated and grazing lands (GL) were major sources of feed where water use of livestock was fundamentally linked. The annual food-feed crops grown that constituted staple human food and major livestock feed were barley, wheat, faba bean and field pea. The livestock density on grazing land was almost twice that of cultivated cropland which showed the importance of crop byproducts for livestock feeding. The contribution of crop residues to total feed supply sourced on-farm and purchased combined was 55%. However, the annual feed dry matter (DM), metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein (DCP) supplies and requirements of livestock did not match at present. The livestock feed insufficiency unanimously affects farmers irrespective of wealth status, though wealthier suffered more. Overall, about 51, 19 and 38% of annual feed deficit in DM, ME and DCP were observed, respectively. On average 0.60 kg m-3 (ranging from 0.59 to 0.61 kg m-3) of FWP was obtained. However, FWP of crop residues (CR) and GL were contrastingly different across wealth groups, where better-off gained more on CR and vice versa on GL. Moreover, much of the water depleted was on GL, irrespective of wealth status. The inflow and outflow dynamics of cattle and equines over the year was not frequent and in large numbers either, rather the conceivable outputs obtained from cattle were milk, traction services and manure, and that of equines was transportation. In case of sheep the dynamics were recurrent; correspondingly the most plausible beneficial output was due to offtake. Generally low offtake rates and high death rates contributed to reduced annual benefit from livestock and impacted the LWP. Livestock water productivity was significantly different across wealth groups. On average 0.23 USD m-3 (ranging from 0.16 to 0.23 USD m-3 following wealth gradient) of LWP was attained. Access to credit and training positively influenced both FWP and LWP, while other factors explain FWP and LWP differently. Evaluation of native grasses and legumes, and improved forages for biomass productivity, nutritive value and water use; improving feeding value of CR with treatment and supplementation; maintenance of healthy productive animals; strengthen enabling institutions that support farmers such as cooperatives, credit, extension and training services and application of soil and water conservation; and proper grazing management are expected to improve water use for livestock production.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Enforcement of Land Use Plan in Nfas Silk Lafto and Kolfe Keranio Sub Cities: The Law and Practice
    (Addis Ababa University, 2023-07) Cheru Debiso; Mekete Bekele
    Land is important for various uses for the development of cities. On the other hand, the utilization of land is highly abused. Hence, the land use should be led by effective plan. To apply effective plan and to avoid abuse of land use plan enforcement, it needs to have strong legal and institutional frameworks, strong regulating mechanisms, active public participation and technical skilled experts. Therefore, the research has undertaken the law and practice of enforcement of LUP in Nfas Silk Lafto and Kolfe Keranio Sub cities. The research has found that there are abuses of land use plan enforcement (the LUP enforcement‟s law and practices are incompatible). Therefore, it recommends that this incompatibility of law and practice should be solved by applying strong legal and institutional framework to enforce proper land use plan.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Environmental Pollution of the Leather Industry: A Case of Modjo City Administration
    (Addis Ababa University, 2021-06) Mehret Milkeso; Mekete Bekele
    The main objective of the study is to examine the environmental pollution of the leather industry through environmental protection laws in order to control environment and mitigate pollution. The methodology employed here is doctrinal based on interview with the government officials’ environment, forest and climate change authority, technologist expertise and ordinary crews as well as, community members. A leather manufacturing industry is quite indispensable and one of the key toolkits for mitigating unskilled man power, to advance socioeconomic development through generating hard currency and adding value to export and import. Though, hazardous waste substances extraction and toxic waste effluents released from the tanning and leather industry results a tremendous socioeconomic crisis on the society living in the industry vicinity and impacted the environment, human health and biodiversity. Due to toxic chemicals extraction from the leather industries peoples living in the Modjo city and surroundings areas are claiming for damage caused by the industries. It is because of poor sewerage waste and failure of hazardous solid waste control and enforcement of environmental protection legislation. Hence, the author has tried to elaborate adverse impact of environmental pollution into soil productivity and water quality in light of environmental protection and control legislations.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Land Possession Disputes in Addis Ababa: The Case of Meskel Square and Jan Meda
    (Addis Ababa University, 2025-01-01) Seifu Meaza; Mekete Bekele
    It is supposed that land possession is one form of owning property. It is accomplished by taking possession with the intent to become the lawful possessor. In reality, rights of land possession may be proved merely by possession or presenting documentary evidence to settle an existing dispute. Hence, the main objective of this study is to examine the rights to land possession regarding Meskel Square and Jan Meda. In order to attain the objective of the study, the research used a doctrinal legal research methodology, which incorporated a thorough review of land related laws, case law, legal reasoning and interview. It analytically scrutinized the rights to land possession and the claim of EOTC over the Meskel Square and Jan Meda land dispute by studying various provisions of the relevant laws to unreservedly understand the rights to land possession existing over the disputed land. The study found that, EOTC has rights to land possession for a long period of time without interference over Meskel Square and Jan Meda; aside the existing land laws, the mayor of Addis Ababa City`sdecision-making regarding the disputed land possession is in error laws fully; which has resulted in increased land disputes among various religious institutions. As a result, these various religious institutions have suffered to get proper government response to overcome the problem. At the end, the study recommends that, instead of confusing the people at large, the information about Meskel Square and Jan Meda must be made available and accessible to all Ethiopian society; and disputing land possession rights over the place must get permanent official and legal oversight to disinvite various groups in to the dispute.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    REDD+ as a Flexibility Mechanism to deal with the Climate Change Problem: Analysis of Legal and Institutional Frameworks in Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2017-06) Mesud Gebeyehu; Mekete Bekele
    REDD+ is an effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands thorough conservation and sustainable management of forests as well as enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Ethiopia is focusing on utilizing the emerging international framework and financial support for REDD+ to assist in addressing the problems of climate change. The importance of community participation and consultation is enshrined in the FDRE Constitution, the CRGE Strategy, the REDD+ Strategy, the EPE as well as the EIA, forest and land proclamations. However, these laws do not necessarily reflect the extent to which they are translated into practice. Clarifying status of individual, community and state rights and duties over forests in the legal framework of the country is the first step to determine the rights over carbon and related benefits. Ethiopia is at the second phase of the REDD+ implementation, many of the existing laws governing forestry are in the process of revision through the involvement of the REDD+ Secretariat which could be a good progress for the REDD+ implementation for the third phase from which Ethiopia expects huge investment which can support both early demonstration activities and future investment flows. The main problem in relation to REDD+ implementation remained fragmented forest governance. Therefore, addressing this problem requires intervention. The REDD+ institutional set up shall also be strengthened by establishing a strong working ties between vertical and horizontal stakeholders. It is also important to utilize the advice and research outputs of Universities and Research Organizations. The inputs from Civil Society and prominent individuals over policy construction shall also be considered.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Structural Plan of Addis Ababa City: The Law and Practice in Relation to Urban Green Space
    (Addis Ababa University, 2012) Roman Yemanebirhan; Mekete Bekele
    Urban green spaces play a vital role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and resilient. However, urban forestry and green spaces often receive limited attention in urban planning and admnistrstion. The primary objective of the study is to analyze the planning, policy, laws, and implementation strategies for urban green spaces in Addis Ababa, as well as the obstacles faced in the implementation process. The research incorporales both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were gathered through key informant interviews and field observations. Secondary data were obtained from Google Maps, satellite imagery, and a review of relevant literature, laws, policies, and Addis Ababa's structural plan. Existing policies and proclamations must be reinforced with Legislative regulations and comprehensive implementation frameworks to establish a foundation for actionable plans. Although stakeholders are engaged in similar green space development initiatives, they often operate within separate organizational structures. The city 's structural plan incorporates several principles for green space development, yet challenges persist in execution. Key informants have identified weak communication, rapid population growth, urbanization, and inadequate planning as significant obstacles to implementing green space projects. However, opportunities exist, including political commitment advancements in technology and the potential of existing green spaces, which can be further leveraged.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Urban Environmental Pollution by the Construction Industries: the Case of Dukam City Administration
    (Addis Ababa Unversity, 2021-06) Jemal Usman; Mekete Bekele
    Construction industry is a fundamental economic sector which permeates the other sectors as it transforms various resources into physical economy and social infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development. The expansions of Construction Industries are more likely to cause environmental pollution to urban center. This Thesis examined enforcement of environmental legal frameworks that relevant to control urban environmental pollution that emanated from construction industries in Dukam city administration at Oromia Regional State. The study found that the FDRE constitution and other environmental legislations guaranteed all persons have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment is also examined by this thesis whether they are implemented in practice or not. On the other hand, the local residents who live around and close to a place where construction activities underway are discontented with vehicles sound disturbance, noise, dust emission, unpleasant smell and other pollutants that have been released from the sites. Moreover, this thesis examines that urban environmental pollution by construction industry is accelerated due to absence of meaningful public consultation, lack of integrated environmental laws, lack of specific standards and weak enforcement of mitigation mechanisms to manage expected construction waste at early stage. This study also found out that there is no environmentally sound technology that converts construction and demolition wastes into economic benefit in order to create job opportunities for unemployment citizens. Municipal administration has a legal duty to manage construction and demolition waste either by itself or get into agreement with construction enterprises that generated construction and demolition wastes to refill solid waste disposal site. Dukam city EFCCA should work out seriously on the enforcement of EIA by giving due attention for vital importance of multi professionals, genuine public participation and strong cooperation of concerned government sectors in order to control pollution released by construction industries to urban environment.