Natural Resources Use Conflict in Wildlife Protected Area: The Case of Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park, West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiop
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Date
2020-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Conflict over natural resources use in wildlife protected area is the major problem for the conservation of natural resources and for the community living in the area. This study was conducted in Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park (ASLNP) to assess the nature (or state) of conflict over natural resources use in the area. The study has three main objectives: identifies of the main natural resources use conflict; explain causes of conflict between local community and park management, and describe the effect of resources use conflict over the park. The primary data was gathered through in-depth interview in which 20 peoples(five woreda administration office experts, three tourism and two culture experts, and 10 selected community members from six kebeles),key informant interview for 15 participants (five Abba Gaddas, five park experts, and five rangers), and three focus group discussions (FGD). The data were thematically organized. The finding of this study revealed that mineral extraction, human-wildlife conflict, industrial activities, livestock grazing, deforestation, agricultural expansion and poaching are the major natural resources use conflict between the park management and community. Additionally, the study showed that the causes of natural resources use conflict over the park mainly emerged from demographic factors: human population growth, economic influence: lack of incentive/benefits/ program for communities, dependence on park resources for livelihood, weak wildlife policy: limited community participation and consultation program, administrative problem: uncertainty of the re-demarcation process, lack of secure land tenure/certificate and overlapping industrial and investment activities.. The study also showed that the park natural resources and wildlife habitats were diminishing in alarming rate due to misuse of the resources by the local community and other unfriendly stakeholders. In general natural resources use conflict in Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park is widespread and posing serious challenges to conservational management.
Keywords/Terms: Arsi people, Protected Area, Ecotourism, Community-Based Conservation, Conservation, Natural Resources, Park, Tourism, Community and Wildlife.
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Keywords
Arsi people, Protected Area, Ecotourism, Community-Based Conservation, Conservation, Natural Resources, Park, Tourism, Community and Wildlif