Awareness Creation at Community Level towards the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Tourism Resources of Bale Mountains National Park and Harena Buluk,South East Ethiopia

Abstract

Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) is one of the most important conservation areas in the Ethiopian Highlands and it is one of the 34 International Biodiversity Hotspots and also qualifies for World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve Listing (BMNP management plan, 2007).However, it is currently facing stiff challenges both from human and natural induced factors. Hence, this project was launched to raise awareness of local communities about   the conservation of cultural and natural tourism resources at Dinsho site of Bale Mountains National Park  and Harena Buluk woreda.. The project team and Research and Community Service Directorate on behalf of Madawalabu University, Bale Mountains National Park Office and Harana Buluk Culture and Tourism Offices were the responsible bodies to implement this project.The project was implemented in two phases and the first phase of the project was implemented from June 10 to June 13/2007 E.C. four consecutive days in Dinsho site of Bale Mountains National Park; whereas the second phase was given from June 18 to 21/ 2007 E.C in Harenna Bulluk woreda ,Bale Zone.A total of 3000 USD is utilized for successful accomplishment of the project.According to the pre-training and post-training test results, it is possible to say that the project was successful in terms of improving the awareness and knowledge of the participants about conservation of natural and cultural tourism resources and its role for successful sustainable tourism development of the project area. Out of the total  94  participants,  60, 20, 10,3 and 1  were found at the rank of  poor, fair, good, very good and excellent during pre-training test respectively; whereas  4 , 5, 15 ,45 and 25   were found at the rank of poor, fair, good, very good and excellent during post-training test. The feedbacks of the trainees also confirm the significances of the project for them and recommend the project to be implemented continuously and   expand to other tourism sites of the Bale Zone: Madda Walabu Woreda, and its surroundings (Adaba Dodola eco-tourism sites).