Impacts of Deforestation on Rural Livelihoods: The Case of Kuyu Woreda, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2010-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia is one of the most severely affected country in sub-Saharan African countries,
particularly by deforestation, which resulted in soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and degradation
of agricultural land. The full implication of loss of forest resources as well as the root causes
should recognized in order to conserve and manage the remaining vegetation cover of the
country. The main objective of this study is to assess the impacts of deforestation on rural
livelihoods in kuyu district. The data for the study were collected using survey questionnaire
including informal interviews, observation and focus group discussions . Four kebeles were
selected purposely where the vegetation cover is found and forest products are supplied. Ninety
households were considered for analysis of data the data. Households' size from each kebeles
was selected through systematic random sampling based on their proportion household number.
The results of investigation showed that, vegetation of the study area is highly degraded. The
area, once two decades years ago were under vegetation are changed into other land uses such
asfarming land and range land. The section of the vegetation close to town area has high degree
of deforestation. Some scattered vegetation was observed along river valleys, mugger gorge and
on other inaccessible area. Rising demand for forest product, population growth, low perception
of inhabitants towards environmental roles of forest, lack of alternative economic activities and
land holding conditions of the inhabitants are the major causes of forest destruction. Moreover,
failure to relate forestry policy to overall development, lack of commitment at individual level
and organizational and lack of rural participation in forest conservation are some of prevailing
constraints of forest resources. Environmental impacts of deforestation, which influence rural
livelihoods, were observed in the study area. Soil erosion, loss of biodiversity (flora and fauna) ,
and rainfall and water variability are among the major one. Therefore, it is suggested that
among other things, increasing the real income of the peasants, diversifying the rural economy,
subsidizing basic commercial farm inputs, providing affordable to fuel wood, incorporation of
local knowledge, resolving conflicts between users right and management responsibility through
introducing benefit sharing system and awaking the peasants continuously on issues related to
forest resource management and family planning must receive policy attention to reduce forest
destruction.
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Keywords
Rural Livelihoods