Impacts of Deforestation on the livelihood of the community in West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Impacts of deforestation, both naturally occurring and human induced, is an ongoing issue, caused loss in biodiversity, land-cover change, soil erosion, water pollution, soil degradation, air pollution, habitat fragmentation and selective exploitation of species. Therefore this study was attempts to assess the impact of deforestation on farmer livelihood, ecological change and to predict possible solutions. Four“Ganda” (lowest administrative units next to district) in Oromia Regional State were selected as study sites out of the total 16 villages in the patch of Munesa forest. The selection was done purposively on the bases of the series impacts of deforestation. Accordingly, 267 household heads 172 men and 95 women were interviewed. Face to face interview using questionnaires were adopted to gather information based on the prepared questionnaires. Each data collectors have the capacity to interviewed 10 -13 households for prevention of Covid-19. In addition essential information was collected from 16 key informants 4from each “Ganda.”. 8FGDs were undertaken in groups consisting of 20 to 25 people by wearing their mask and keeping social distance for prevention of Covid-19 in four selected “Ganda” to reject contradictory information. The results obtained from respondents and observation showed that the impacts of deforestation on farmer’s livelihood and Ecological condition resulting in decreasing of productivity on crop yield from 40 quintal to 20 quintal, honey product from 12kg to 4 kg, cow’s milk from 5L to 0.5L,the price of Equipment and tool increase from 243 to 700 Birr. Loss of many wild life, plant species, and climate change occurred for more than one decade. Currently government and people are working hard together to make their country a better place especially in green legacy and rift valley development policy by making dam and planting tree over it to protect soil erosion and climate change for promising solution .