Status and challenges of integrated watershed management practices after-project phased-out in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion is one of the major causes for declining ecosystem functions in the northern highlands of Ethiopia including the Eastern Tigray. Hence, different integrated watershed management practices were introduced in the last few years to avert the problem. Currently, most of these practices are phased out. However, the status and challenges of these practices after phase-out are not well documented and required scientific research. On-field measurement from nine sample plots having a size of each 50 m*50 m at 200 m interval was conducted to assess the status and challenges of these practices. Results of the assessment showed that physical soil and water conservation structures were deteriorated by 47–64% after IWM project phased out. The key problems were lack of periodic maintenance, and limited support by biological conservation measures. The study results suggest that Watershed technologies are highly challenged after project phase-out. Hence, integration among the community, government and non-governmental organizations are needed to sustainably manage these resources.