An Assessment of Local Community Livelihood Benefits as a result of Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Assessing and considering the potential contribution of protected areas of land on local community livelihood benefits helps to effectively protect and sustain representative samples of various biotopes. This study was designed to assess the contribution of Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) on local community livelihood. Thirteen villages were selected purposely from five Districts and 732 households were interviewed. The survey was conducted using structured household questionnaires, focus groups discussion and key informants. Various data analysis techniques namely descriptive statistics, Chi-square (χ²) test of independence, post hoc Tukey test after a one-way ANOVA test and Correlation (r) were used. Results showed that 76% of households earned direct benefit from the park in terms of livestock grazing 39.6% (dry season) and 37.9% (wet season), land holding 39.66%, firewood collection 93.53% and grass harvesting 64.14%. Ecotourism related activity 27.8%, being an association member 2.1%, employment (full time 0.86% and part time 0.6%), donation 2% and training/workshop 15.5% were recorded as indirect benefit as a result of the park. Generally, it is concluded that BMNP has enormous potential to contribute on local community livelihood directly and/or indirectly, but indirect benefits remain low and a distant reality. Therefore, the management approach of the park should be changed and able to focus on offering indirect benefit opportunity equitably and reasonably for all residents living in and around the park.