Critical Solutions for Critical Problems: Threats to Sustainable Use and Management of Nech Sar National Park (NSNP): Ethiopia

Abstract

In flawless speaking, National parks are considered as most important instrument for the conservation and protection of biodiversity, particularly for rehabilitation of critically endangered species in Ethiopia. However, the management of most of the national parks is threatened by complex socioeconomic and political factors. This paper, thus, was designed to assess the socio-economic and political factors that threaten the management of Nech Sar National Park. Document analysis; previously conducted empirical research and d reports were utilized as main sources of data. Apart this, interview and personal observation were applied as tool to generate supplementary data. The analysis indicates that there are enormous socioeconomic and political factors that limit and challenge the management and sustainable use of the park: using of the park as primary source of livelihood : using it as grazing land, expansion of agriculture, establishment of settlement, and investment center are the most important factors that are threatening  and challenging the management of the park., conflict of interests, lack of political commitment, lack of clear demarcations, and capacity problems were also other factors that constraint the sustainability of the park. Therefore, in order to use the park for its primary management objectives, overcome the chronic threats of the management, and reap the benefits in a sustainable way, all stakeholders should work hand in hand rather than starving to meet its own individual interest with the expense of the park and its objectives.

Keywords: Park Management, Threats and NSNP