Forest Management From Local Knowledge, Institutions And Livelihood Perspectives: A Case Of Belete -Gera Forest In Southwestern Oromia Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2010-06
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AAU
Abstract
This study deals with forest management from the perspectives of local knowledge and
institutions in relation to the livelihood of local people with particular reference to Balate Gera Forest Priority Area of Jim a Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.
By using material from Ganji-caalla ofGera district, the paper attempted to address the role
of local knowledge and institutions in forest management in relation to livelihood of the local
p eople. The study was based on the field research conducted in Gera district for two solid
months ranging from 21 December 2009 to 21 February 2010. Different tools of data
gathering mechanisms were employed: structured and unstructured interviews, focused group
discussions, observation and survey were utilized in order to obtain relevant and reliable
data. The data were analyzed qualitatively employing conceptual ji-ameworks of political
ecology and common property theories.
The qualitative analysis of the study revealed that knowledge of local people about the values
of fo rest and forest management was incredible. They were well aware of ecological,
economic and socio-cultural values of forest in the study area. The study also indicated that
customary institutions of the local people have played a great role in forest management. In
the study area, the experience of charcoal burning, cutting live trees for fire wood, and
extraction of timber were very minimal. However, local people have been utilizing forest
resources for subsistence domestic uses cautiously and selectively. Traditional leadership set
ups such as abbaa lagaa and shanee were still active and played great role in resource
management and other social affctirs like conflict resolution. Above all, findings .!i'·om this
study implied the importance of considering existing customary institutions, respecting
ownership rights of forest resources users and reducing the role of government to technical
support and some aspects of administration for sustainable forest management. Future
researches should be directed to how the existing customGlY institutions will be fostered into
fo rest management institutions in collaborating with the local government institutions and
non-governmental organizations that have interests to work with the local people respecting
their customary institutions.