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Threats, Opportunities and Community perception of Biological resource conservation in Bale Mountains National Park, A case of Dinsho District, Ethiopia

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation, Madawalabu University, 247, Ethiopia
  • 2Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Wolkite University, 07, 3220019 Wolkite, Ethiopia
  • 3Department of Tourism Management, Madawalabu University, 247, Bale Robe, Ethiopia

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 5, Issue (4), Pages 6-13, April,10 (2016)

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the threats, opportunities and community perception of biological resource conservation in Bale Mountains National Park. It also aimed distinguishing the causes and consequences associated with biological resource threats in the area. The findings are based on primary data from communities, stakeholders and field visits. Questionnaires, interviews and site visits were data collection tools. The result of the study indicated that fuel wood collection, overgrazing and deforestation are the main threats of biological resources. Management and community related factors contribute for the occurrence of the threats. Livestock competitions with wildlife and habitat fragmentations are the major negative environmental impacts in the park. The perception of communities indicated their positive response to the presence of conservation organizations and the relationship between communities and the park. But, communities had negative response to prevalence of alternative job opportunities and existence of community based conservation activities. The identified opportunities for biological resource conservation in the park includes the increasing attitude of communities towards biological resources, prevalence of conservation organizations and the growing political support from governments of different hierarchies.

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