IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION ON RURAL LIVELIHOOD IN SHEKILA AND QALLO KEBELES OF DEWA-CHEFA DISTRICT, OROMIA ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Deforestation has significant negative impacts on the livelihood of the local community. The rate and extent of deforestation is much higher today than in the past. However, the impact of deforestation on community livelihood is not documented. Therefore, this study was aimed to address and fill the existing theoretical and practical research gap. That means by providing the necessary information about the impact of deforestation on rural livelihood. This research was carried out with the intention of investigating impacts of deforestation on rural livelihood in selected Kebeles of Dewa -Chefa District, Oromia Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. The study used a cross sectional data consist of survey method, which was supplemented by qualitative research to enrich quantitative data. Two kebeles were purposively selected based on their severity of deforestation impact on livelihood, exploitation of the forest resources for different purposes. Ninety seven sample household heads were selected using simple random sampling technique. In addition, key informants and people as FGD were selected by purposely sampling technique .SPSS software (version 20) were used to analysis the data. The study findings indicated that the major factors contributing to the rapid deforestation of the natural forest were attributed to farm land expansion, the rising demand for tree products for fire wood, expanding population pressures, poverty /lack of income/ and construction materials ,demand for grazing land. The results of the study also included that the major environmental consequences of deforestation included the decline of soil fertility, increase in temperature, and decline in amount of rain fall. Furthermore, the study showed that the socioeconomic impacts of deforestation on livelihood of rural households in the study area was identified by factors like decline in forest products, decreased in household income, decline in agricultural yield, decreased in livestock population and livestock products, increase in desolation of people and decrease in social consistency. The study also showed that forest resource degradation had resulted in biodiversity loss in the study area. The efforts in forest resources conservation by rural households in the study area were not adequate to mitigate the problem of local forest degradation and deforestation despite the fact that there were some efforts on part of governmental and nongovernmental organizations in mobilizing the rural community towards forest conservation. By considering the above facts, then it's recommended that the natural forest of the study area could be developed. Through- provision of environmental education, afforestation, providing alternative form of fuel (energy), strengthening PFM and strong law enforcement on part of the government. On those who illegally and indiscriminately eliminate the forests help solve the impacts deforestation on the environment and socio-economic of livelihoods of rural household of study area.