Deforestation and a Strategy for Rehabilitation in Beles Sub Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Being identified as one of the growth corridors of Ethiopia with untapped common pool resources, the regions’ abundant natural resources are not yet adequately utilized in planned, integrated and systematic manner. In connection to this, the country has initiated and implemented large-scale development projects such as the renaissance dam of Ethiopia and the Tana-Beles sugar factory in Beles sub basin region. A study is undertaken on deforestation and its protection strategy in Beles sub basin which focuses on estimating the pattern and magnitude of deforestation and the triggering factors of deforestation. The study uses NDVI data from two periods (2001 and 2012) to analyze the rate of deforestation and the associated biodiversity loss. Key informants interview and focus group discussions were held to generate the required data. Secondary data on ecological and socio-economic issues were obtained from different GIS and Satellite images, which were downscaled using NDVI technique. The result shows that deforestation and the resulting environmental degradation were the major problems in the Beles sub basin of Ethiopia. High population pressure, agricultural land expansion, large-scale investments, uncontrolled wildfire, illegal logging, firewood and charcoal production, and forced villegalization program were found to be the main drivers of deforestation. As a result, environmental consequences such as climate change, massive deforestation in the name of investment and migration of precious animal such as lion, elephant and buffalo to Sudan were few of the overwhelming problems. This may strongly confront the food security, community livelihood and sustainable development of the study area. Therefore, continuous water, land and forest conservation activity by local communities based on the principles of collective actions and Participatory Forest Management (PFM) is recommended as vital development activities. Furthermore, frequent awareness creation on wildfire protection, modern charcoal production, EIA preparation and implementation for large scale agricultural investments, and implementation of voluntary villegalization program is suggested for long run effective use of the Beles basin natural resources.

Keywords:, deforestation, biodiversity loss, NDVI and GIS, Beles Basin, Benishangul Gumuz and Amhara Region, Ethiopia