Impacts of Deforestation on the Livelihoods of People in Arba Minch Zuria Wereda (District): The case of Sub-urban Areas of Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This research was conducted in one of the districts in the SNNPR located in the Gamo Gofa zone in the Southern Rift Valley. The objective this study is to assess the problem of deforestation and explore how deforestation affects the livelihoods of farming communities. The research was undertaken in an identified three Kebeles from Arba Minch Zuria Wereda which are sub-urban villages of Arba Minch town, making use of the questionnaire interview method and direct observation. A household sample was obtained using a simple random sampling technique; Information interviews were conducted with community representatives, district level experts and development agents who worked in the community. The results of the study indicated that the effects of deforestation on land productivity, agriculture at large, had a negative effect on livelihoods of the community members. Recommendations based on the research affirm the necessity to undertake natural resource management starting with community based management there by reducing the impact of land degradation on the livelihood of farmers and ensuring food security and sustainable land management.