Abstract:
Forests produce a great variety of goods and services for people. These products are typically been
categorized into two main categories as timber and non-timber forest products. The objective of this
study was to assess non-timber forest products and investigate the use of the non-timber forest
products by the community around Gebra Dima forest, Ale District, Illu Aba Bor Zone Southwest
Ethiopia. The type of Data was Primary data Non-timber forest information were collected using
structured questionnaire and interview.In order to select the study sites in the district from forest
adjacent kebeles, three rural kebeles were selected using purposive sampling technique.The
collected data was checked, corrected and coded by using Microsoft excel. The findings revealed the
following NTFPs in the study area charcoal, firewood, basket, fruits, construction, herbal medicine,
spices, honey, brush tooth and wild coffee. Majority (79.4%) of the respondents considered honey as
the most important NTFPs and other many uses in this area are firewood 77.6% of the total
respondents, 15.4% consumption charcoal from the forests.14.1% of respondents inform as they use
wild fruit from this forest.39.4% of informants in the study area responds as they uses plant from
these forest for different constructions.17.1% informants also respond as plant in the forest used as
medicine. About 34.1% of respondents indicated that the local people collect different spices from a
forest. The study concluded that respondents could not do without these NTFPs in their daily
domestic activities as it serves as sources of food, local herbs, employment, income generating and
thus means of livelihood. The study therefore. Current honey production system is totally
traditional which could not generate better quality and quantity product of honey, therefore,
it is recommended to look into its improvement through better production system. Further studies
required on Gebra Dima forest to stop current Deforestation and Degradation other forest related
problems. Conduct specific research on medicinal plants, concentrating on using different parts of
the plants, such as fruits, herbs, leaves, and roots.
