Impact of Fuelwood Utilization on Forest Resources in Gechi District, South Western Ethiopia

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 .