Negatu, Workneh (PhD)Mosisa, Muluneh2022-04-122023-11-182022-04-122023-11-182012-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/31267The 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, DiversificationenPastpralismLivelihoodEcologyDiversificationThesis