Assessment of ecotourism potentials and challenges in and around sheka biosphere reserve: implication for sustainable natural resource management, sheka zone, south west Ethiopia

Abstract

Majority of Ethiopian population are engaged in agricultural activities instead of on off farm activities like ecotourism as a result natural resources are exposed to extreme degradations. Ecotourism could be as a good example of alternative income generation and off-farm activities which benefit local communities while achieving the conservation goals of natural resources. The potentials and challenges of ecotourism implication for sustainable natural resources management were assessed in Sheka Biosphere Reserve (SBR), South West Ethiopia using survey questionnaires, document analysis and field observation. Data information was collected 120 household heads living around the Biosphere reserve using structured questionnaire. Volunteer elders were intervied while focus group discussions were conducted with key informants. In addition to these field observations were held for Ecourism potentials using camera trape, digital camera and GPS.The data collected by above methods were analized by the help of Stastical package for social science (SPSS version 21). The findings of this research revealed that, the Sheka Biosphere reserve is endowed with attractive land scenery, Fauna and flora species, amazing caves and water falls, Mountain Lake covered by bamboo trees and indigenous culture of the local community makes the area as ecotourism destination for feature ecotourism development. About 50 mammals, 254 birds, 39 natural caves and 70 waterfalls and 1 Mountain lake have been recognized. The high reliance of local communities on Biosphere reserves resources, soil fertility reduction, market problems for their products and absence of ecotourism activities are identified as the major socio economic problems of the locals and further threats of natural resources of the area. Introducing additional more options or ecotourism and development of basic infrastructures are important strategic directions for sustainable management of natural resources for Sheka Biosphere Reserve