Indigenous Practices of Rangeland Management: Constraints And Prospects in Borana Pastoralists of Southern Ethiopia, Oromia Regional State
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Degradation of range resources has recently been a serious problem due to multiple causative
factors such as climate change (increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere), surge in
human and cattle population, and range resource management regimes. The aims of this
research are to investigate Borana pastoralists’ indigenous range resources management
techniques and to describe the adaptation strategies of Borana pastoral community during
frequent and extended drought.
Data were collected by employing in-depth interviews, observations, Focus Group Discussions
(FGD) and informal discussions. The study results reveal that Borana pastoralists indigenous
knowledge and experiences play a great role in pasture and water resources management. The
regulatory role of water in managing grazing land is a very key factor for range resource
management, especially during recurrent drought.
In addition, various adaptive strategies such as hay making and herd division are used by
Borana pastoralists to cope with drought stress. Borana pastoralists are currently facing
mounting challenges such as bush encroachment, shrinking of rangelands and frequent drought
incidents. Consequently, these have put a great strain in the pastoral production system and
eventually may even undermine the pastoral livelihoods in drought stressed semi-arid ecosystems
of the Borana lowlands.
In general, indigenous range resource management system is more or less efficient and environmentally sustainable though the external interactive factors put the resource base under stress. Development interventions were made to improve the Borana rangeland condition but could not bring lasting solution. Therefore, development interventions should work on improving their weak sides.
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Geography and Environmental Studies