PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF MANAGING PROTECTED AREAS IN CHEBERA CHURCHURA NATIONAL PARK, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstracts Ethiopia has different types of protected areas found in different parts of a country; protected areas (including Chebera Churchura National Park) has been challenged mainly by human-induced constraints or anthropogenic activities.Challenges of managing protected areas in Ethiopia: the case of Chebera Churchura National Park was the main title of present study. However, the challenges facing Chebera Churchura National Park were not rigorously investigated. So, the general objective of this study was to assess the main management challenges of Chebera Churchura National Park. Survey questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion and direct field observation were employed to collect primary data and literature was reviewed to acquire secondary data in order to assess the socio-economic situation of households, and problems of natural resource management. Six kebeles were selected using purposively sampling from 22 kebeles in and around Chebera Churcura National Park. In addition to questionnaire, six focus group discussions were made with park staff and local people, twelve key informants(two from each kebele); and again, other twelve key informants(six from park resource dependents and six from non-park resources dependents) were used to acquire data. Participants of focus group discussion and key informants (except households of local people) have been selected by purposive sampling. Result of the study revealed that Grazing (open), uncontrolled fire, expansion of farmland, cutting tree, conflict, hunting, and resettlement on the government side are the major management problems of the Park. Most respondents had a negative attitude towards conservation of the Park for two main reasons: frustration of losing free access for grazing and their interest to expand agricultural land into the park area. Attitudes were significantly related to locally perceived benefits, education, family size and age of the local people. The perception of the local people on the conservation and management of the park resource completely opposite with the views of the management members of the park. A recommendations the local government should transfer those people living in and very close to the park to the area that is comparable in climate and other