LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: THE CASE OF MIDAKEGN WOREDA, WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the most seriously affected countries of Africa by environmental degradation such as soil erosion and loss of fauna and flora. The main objective of this study was to investigate major types of land use/cover change and its Socio-economic Implications in Midakegn woreda. Three kebeles were selected purposively. Three hundred sixty households, 10 respondents for interviewees and 12 respondents for focus group discussion, personal observation and land sat for 1985, 2000 and 2016 years data were used. Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Respondents from each kebeles were selected through systematic sampling while for interview and focus group discussions, they were selected purposively. Mixed (Concurrent triangulation) research design was used. The land under forest cover was changed into other land uses mainly to farming and settlement lands. Some scattered vegetations were observed along river valleys and on hills. The result of satellite image (1985 to 2000) shows that forest land was highly decreased (9.88%), but cultivated land (5.71%) and grass land (6.09%) were increased. In 2000 to 2016, cultivated land (14.4%) was rapidly increased followed by settlement land (10%). Grass land (14.7%) and forest land (5.7%) were highly reduced. In the 1985 to 2016, cultivated land (20.11%) was the most increased followed by settlement land (11.42%) where as forest land (15.58%) was the most declined followed by grass lands (8.61%) and shrub lands (7.8%). Expansion of cultivated land, the need for forest products, population pressure, over grazing and lack of income were the major causes of forest destruction in the study area. Reduction of forest products, decline in agricultural yield, decline in household income, increased misery of people and decrease in social cohesion were the major socio-economic impacts of deforestation in the area.. The study also indicates that forest resource clearance had brought major types of fauna and flora loss in the area. The investigator suggested that increasing income of rural households, diversifying rural economy, reducing population growth, providing alternative form of energy, applying intensive farming than extensive, strong law enforcement from government on those who illegally and indiscriminately remove forests.