Abstract:
A study on the impact of human activity and local community perception towards wildlife
conservation in Tiro Boter Bacho forest was conducted in four purposely selected Kebeles of
Nedhi Gibe district of Jimma zone .The objective of the study was to assess impact of human
activity and local community attitude on wildlife conservation. Personal observation and formal
discussion were used to identify the study site. Four Kebeles of the district that have common
boundary with the forest were purposively selected for this study. Data were collected from
different respondents at a single point in time. For this study, 183 respondents were selected both
by simple random sampling from the householders. Interviewers were selected by purposive
sampling from local community elders, Woreda and Kebele level agricultural experts and Kebele
administrators. Personal observation, Interview and questionnaire were employed as data
gathering method. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the data. Chi Square (χ²) test
was used to determine association between categorical variables. From the result of the study,
human activity that adversely affect wildlife resource were farmland expansion for agricultural
purpose 60 (32.8%) and human wildlife conflict 44 (24.1%) in order of importance in the study
area. Trend of wildlife population in the study area declined from time to time due to human
impact such as forest clearing for farmland expansions (41%) and removing of fuel wood for
market (35.5 %), and the growing of livestock grazing in the site. The attitude of local
community towards wildlife is negative 87 (47.5%) because of increase in wildlife induced
damage like crop raiding and predation, lack of awareness and less attention given by
government. The study reveals that 118 (64.5%) of the respondents in the study area responded
that they did not have awareness about wildlife conservation. On the contrary 52 (28.4%) of the
respondents expressed as they have awareness about wildlife conservation and about 13 (7.1%)
of the respondents have no idea on the issue. In conclusion, the study revealed human activity is
one of the most important factors that have impact on wildlife and its conservations. Therefore,
awareness creation programs should be organized in the community and it will help to reduce
wildlife threats and to improve the local community attitude, participating the local community
in the decision making process to increase sustainable conservation of wildlife.
