Views and attitudes of local people towards community versus state forest governance in Tehulederi District, South Wollo, Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.1186/s13717-018-0157-1
• Publication Date: 2019-01-31T20:05:13Z
• Authors: Birhan Ali Woldie; Solomon Ayele Tad...
• Keywords: State forest; Qualitative property; Community forestry; Local Community

Restoring the degraded sites with vegetation cover is an optimal solution to mitigate environmental disasters. Starting from 1980s, donor-assisted land rehabilitation activities were taking place in Tehulederi District, South Wollo, Ethiopia. Meanwhile, majority of forests destroyed; part problem was associated top-down approach forest management. The challenge is, therefore, find a system management that can enhance combined effect both community and state. forestry (i.e. development activity which practiced managed collectively by members on their communal land) one such alternative. objectives study (1) examine views attitudes local people towards versus state governance (2) evaluate practices implemented implications status livelihood people. A structured questionnaire consisting closed- open-ended questions developed collect quantitative data randomly selected households. Moreover, key informant interviews focus group discussions conducted gather qualitative data. Descriptive statistics multiple linear regression used analyze interpret obtained through synthesized narrated using method. Several socioeconomic variables significantly affected governance. Generally, had positive forestry. Over 83% respondents agreed accept practice In contrast, about 70% negative may be connected perceived benefits (e.g. infrastructure development, source medicinal plants, wood products, fodder) values aesthetic recreational) expect forest. However, could attributed fact have limited access when they are exclusively government. aggravate antagonistic relationship between government manifested as use conflicts. results suggested better than This resulted relative advantage make forest, manage it more sustainability, contribute equitably satisfy livelihoods does also illustrated dependence forests, utilization, protection, management, silvicultural schemes forests. findings emphasize importance collective decisions intervention for legal framework institutional particularly formal recognition people's ownership right over indispensable sustainable