A THESIS SUBMITED TO DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMOICS, ARBAMINCH UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR DEGREE OF MASTER OF ART IN DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS

Abstract

Forest users' participation in participatory forest management decision-making has been promoted as a mechanism for improving livelihood and forest condition. This shift in emphasis came from the failure of state-led forest management. Achieving successful participatory forest management is subject to various enabling and constraining factors. The objective of the study was to assess the determinants of forest users' participation in participatory forest management of the Gardula forest in Derashe Woreda. Data was collected from four forest user groups through a household survey, key informant interviews, and focus group discussion. The forest user groups were selected purposefully, and the study used the proportional probability method to select sample respondent from each forest user group. The sample size is 400. The binary logistic regression model was used to assess factors that affect forest users' participation in participatory forest management programs. The study found that age, gender, family size, level of education, distance from the forest, and indigenous knowledge affect forest users' participation significantly. Furthermore, the study assessed forest users' levels of participation across each stage of the program using the participation index. From the participation index, it was found that the level of participation across each stage is moderate. Finally, using ordered logistic regression, the perception of forest users toward participatory forest management was also affected by different demographic and institutional factors. The government and other concerned bodies are expected to enhance the perception of the forest users and improve the level of participation at each stage of participatory forest program