Review on Ecotourism Opportunities and the Challenges for Natural Resource Management in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has faced rapid deforestation and land degradation that is a cumulative outcome of extensive forest clearing for agricultural use, overgrazing, exploitation of forests for fuel wood, fodder and construction materials, setting of fire to create pasture land, expansion of settlements etc. Ecotourism development is, nowadays, increasingly used for its multipurpose. By promoting ecotourism through the protection of the environment, biodiversity is preserved, jobs are created, market for local products is created, environmental education within the communities is promoted, and understanding of local peoples and cultures are fostered among the tourists who visit these communities. Even if Ethiopia has various protected areas in different part, the areas have been challenged largely by human-induced constraints. Ecotourism is becoming more attractive because it is believed that it makes it possible to improve income generation without harming the environment. These goals are sometimes not met, however, and environmentally unfriendly or economically unsuccessful ecotourism tends to prevail in many developing countries, questioning the validity of its original concept. Therefore, careful assessment of cultural, environmental, and economic aspects is necessary when introducing ecotourism to a region.

Keywords: Challenges, Ecotourism, Natural resource management, Tourism