The Quest For Conservation In The Midst Of Deforestation Resource Degradation And Unsustainable Livelihood Practices In And Around Mt. Zeqwala

This thesis has attempted to examine the various factors causing deforestation in andrnaround Mt. Zeqwala. It further tries to identify the change that occurred in the diminishing arearnof the forest used to cover and the associated biodiversity loss. The study was conducted in eastrnShowa Liben Chukala Woreda in particular on mount Zeqwala. Three Kebeles were selectedrnpurposively. In the course of the study, methodological pluralism was pursued to make arnreasonable research. Hence, combinations of surveys, qualitative and quantitative datarncollection methods were employed.rnThere has been deforestation at mount Zeqwala for the last three decades. The mountainrnbeing one of the few cultural, historical and biodiversity centers and the tragic destructionrnoccurring there has attracted national attention. Thus, the unique plant and animal life,rnhistorical ruins and cultural sites found on there calls for conservation from all concernedrnbodies.rnThe study showed that there were a number of factors that have aggravated therndeforestation on the mountain. These are like charcoal making, clearings for farm land, fuelrnwood exploitation, plank making and animal grazing. Conflicts arose as the people living inrnand around the mountain engaged in blind exploitation of the forest, water and land resourcesrnwith Abo Monastery. The result was a total collapse of reason and order as all people involvedrnin the resource extraction went for satisfying their selfish interest. Environmental problemsrnoccurred immediately after the deforestation like drought, drying of springs, flooding, Gulliesrnand land degradation. The socio- economic and local development backwardness of thernWoreda has further contributed to the deforestation occurring on the mountain. Investment onrnrural development and establishing an organized sustainable benefit sharing mechanism is veryrnimportant to reverse the existing problem.rnDespite the existing problems there are some measures taken to improve thernsituation on the ground. These include area closure, patrolling and penalties. However,rninvolving the surrounding community over resource conservation and use has been found to bernof a paramount importance to reach at a successful endrnKey words: Zeqwala’s natural forest, Conservation, Deforestation, Biodiversityrnloss, Landuse, development and environment

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