Opportunities and Challenges of Community Based Natural Resource Management in Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-05-27
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Nowadays, the degradation of biodiversity reaches its climax due to lack of sustainable natural resource
management even if some areas saved from total damage by the indigenous community conservation
practices for seeks of the commons. This study tries to investigate the challenges and opportunities of
Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area (MGCCA) of Ethiopia, the exemplary area of community
conserved area for the last 400 years in the Eastern Africa. To examine the current status of the area in
terms of challenges and opportunities (in-depth interview, focus group discussion and key informant
interview) methods were employed. The data obtained analyzed in descriptive ways. Lack of awareness of
local communities about government interfere conservation practice and their threat, land policy issues,
shortage of farm land and population increment, drought and poverty etc were identified as major
challenges of MGCCA. While the interference of governmental and nongovernmental parties,
accreditation of formal law, interest and values of the community to conserve MGCCA, the moving of the
world to green revolution, expansion of culture and tourism sectors, local communities indigenous
consciousness to conserve natural resources identified as opportunities. Similar to other developing
countries Ethiopian people’s also practiced conservations for direct benefits solely. Accordingly, the
researcher recommended that urgent intervention of governmental and nongovernmental organizations is
needed mainly to alleviate farmers economic problems, empowering religious and local leaders for more
integrated conservation with sense of ownership and increasing public awareness through education about the benefit of community conservation areas to encourage existing practices and save similar areas.
Key words: Common Property Resource, Community Conservation Area, Opportunities, Challenge’s,
Prospects, Menz Gera Midir Woreda, Afro Alpine
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Keywords
Common Property Resource, Community Conservation Area, Opportunities, Challenge’s Prospects, Menz Gera Midir Woreda, Afro Alpine