Abstract:
Fuel wood remains the main energy source for the majority of the people in Ethiopia in general
in,Gechi district. It is one of the causes of deforestation in Ethiopia and in Gechi district. Though
majority of Gechi district has been covered by forests, the forest cover is generally very sparse in
the densely populated areas where rapid rates of forest degradation and depletion have occurred
due to the heavy demand on forest products, including fuelwood, and other causes associated
with population pressure. This study, was therefore, conducted with the objective of assessing the
impact of fuelwood consumption on the forest resource in Gechi district. Data was collected
through questioners to know the socio-economic characteristic, causes of deforestation, Sources
of energy for cooking and preferences of tree species for fuel wood. The vegetation sampling
was conducted in the three agroecological zones to know the average volumes of the tree per
hectare on systematically laid plots along transects. In each plots data on tree species, plant
height, DBH were collected and volume of tree per hectare in the study area was determine and
compare with the household fuelwood consumption. Measurement was conducted by sampling
the households to know the volume of fuel wood consumed by people of Chara, Gito and Bido
Kebeles and its impact on the forest as well as local community perception towards its impact on
the forest resources. The study revealed that 6529.90 tons of fuel wood had been utilized in
Chara, Gito and Bido Kebeles per year. It was found that the stand forest at Chara is
10593.75tones on the 125 ha of land. Comparing the stand tree and amount of fuel wood used by
the communities of Chara, Gito and Bido is 1.76ha of forest per annum. The most preferred
tree species for fuel wood in the area are Syzygium guineense , Maesa lanceolate and Albizia
gummiferaThis show that; these species were the most extracted from the forest resources in the
study area. The implication of the fuel wood utilization as energy sources for the households in
the study area may lead to the forest resources degradation. Use of the efficient energy saving
technology, planting fast growing tree for the fuelwood and sustainable use of forest product as
fuel wood is recommended .
