Ecological Implications of Pastoral Livelihood Diversification in FantaHe Woreda
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objective of this thesis research was to describe the consequences of pastoral livelihood
diversification strategies on the local ecology. A survey type of research was employed, by taking
a sample of 90 households in three kebeles out of the total 18 kebeles by using systematic
sampling. Besides, focus group discussion and key informant interview were used.
Pastoral livelihood assets such as hWi;{li1 indigenous knowledge, social relationships among the
pastoralists and traditional institutions such as Gada system are important in wise management
of pastoral rangeland and natural resources. All the respondent households assume themselves
as pastoralists, while th eir livelihood is diversified 37% to crop farming, 10% to
charcoallfirewood selling, 12% to wage labor, 4% to petty trading, and 4% to mining. The data
indicated that diversification to cropping and charcoallfirewood making cause negative
ecological consequences such as shrinkage of rangelands, deforestation, and increased salinity
of soil, soil erosion, damage to the 'gada' ceremonial sites (destruction of trees that were used
for Gada gathering), extinction of grass species and wild animals, and threat to the most
resilient pastoral system. The study also found out the constraints of diversification to cropping,
mining and charcoallfirewood making as climatic conditions of dry land areas, soil properties,
rent out of land to urban dwellers, perception of pastoralists on water point development, low
level of skill of water users to utilize economically, prevalence of pests and shortage of
pesticides, and conflict on land sharing since communal land holding is accustomed to pastoral
areas.
The following policy implication has been recommended: Pastoral livelihood diversification
strategies should be focused to environmental friendly and ecologically suitable activities such
as value addition to the livestock products; irrigation water should be used for rangeland
improvement and for livestock drinking than for cropping; Pastoralists should be consulted and
be able to decide for their destiny; seasonal mobility has to be recognized as adaptation
mechanism to the lowland ecology; pastoral livelihood assets such as human capital and social
capital that support ecological adaptation have to be improved; concerned government bureaus
and offices such as the Land and Environmental Protection Office have to be committed to
manage the environmental issues; and pastoralism in this country is going to diminish and hence
it should be preserved for heritage.
Key words: Pastpralislm, Livelihood, Ecology, Diversification
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Keywords
Pastpralism, Livelihood, Ecology, Diversification