ASSESSINNG THE STATUS OF LOWLAND NATURAL BAMBOO FOREST, THE CASE OF ASSOSA WOREDA, BENISHANGUL- GUMUZ REGIONAL STATE, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Although there are highland bamboos and lowland bamboos in Ethiopia, most of lowland bamboos exist in the form of natural forests in the western part of the country, and has been facing different challenges because of anthropogenic factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the status of low land natural bamboo forest in Assosa woreda, Benishangul-Gumuz Regional state. To convey the objectives, the qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from115 households and key informants like local elders, DA workers and kebele administrators. The research approach used was mixed, particularly concurrent design which was implemented from collecting data to analyzing in addition to these, data from field observation and document analysis were used. Using these data, four specific objectives were investigated, and the findings indicated that there was less management consideration from local community and kebele administrative bodies. Because of this, the forest hasbeen shrinking from time to time. For instance, from 745km2 in 1988 decreased to 636km2 in 2003, and decreased to 545km2 in 2019. This was because of forest fire, illegal cutting, overgrazing and using for food. The community perceived that bamboo forests as “since itis natural and therefore no need of conservation. To topple deteriorating rate of forest, the concerned bodies in the Asossa woreda and the region like local NGOs who maintain natural forests, Asossa woreda administrative bodies, shall interrupt alarming magnitude of deforestation by creatingawareness to the people towards natural bamboo forests