This study was conducted in the Sheyebench and South Bench districts of the Bench-Sheko zone and Masha district of the Sheka zone in southwest Ethiopia. Chega-Gawussi wetland from Sheyebench, Chonkie-Shinkie wetland from South Bench, and Lake Dembi from Masha districts were selected for the study. Respondents in the vicinity of studied wetlands were interviewed to assess the benefits of wetlands and attitudes of local communities towards the benefits and conservation practices of wetlands. This study revealed that wetlands provide a wide range of uses for local communities, such as livestock grazing, irrigation, recreation, grass and forage harvesting, water sources for livestock and domestic uses, fish harvesting, and firewood collection. The total livestock holdings of the respondents as measured and the family size are significantly and positively associated with the frequency of wetland resource harvest/utilization. The result of the study revealed that the majority of respondents agreed with the benefits offered and the importance of conservation practices of wetlands. Despite the studied wetlands offering numerous benefits to the local communities, they were under threat due to the factors of land expansion deforestation, eucalyptus plantation, silting from adjacent farmlands, and overgrazing. The results of the study show that the local community has a positive attitude towards wetland conservation, and therefore the Office for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Forestry and Environmental Protection, and Biodiversity Conservation Organizations should work collaboratively to initiate and mobilize local communities to reduce the burden on wetland over-exploitation.
This study was conducted in the Sheyebench and South Bench Woredas of the Bench-Sheko zone and Masha Woreda of the Sheka zone in southwest Ethiopia. In this study Chega-Gawussi wetland from Masha, Chonkie-Shinkie wetland from Sheybench and Lake Dembi South Bench Woredas were selected. In this both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected from randomly interviewed households living in the vicinity of the selected wetlands. The main objective of interview highly revolves around benefits and attitudes of local communities towards conservation of wetlands. Collected data were analyzed using 5-point Likert scale to analyze benefits and attitudes respondents towards wetland conservation. SPSS© and Microsoft excel©. The result of study revealed that wetlands in the study area provide wide range of uses for local communities, such as livestock grazing, irrigation, recreation, grass and forage harvesting, water sources for livestock and domestic uses, fish harvesting, and firewood collection. Majority of respondents agreed that wetlands are important and offer various services. Despite the studied wetlands offer numerous benefits to the local communities, they were under human pressure due to farmland expansion, deforestation, expansion of eucalyptus plantation, silting from adjacent farmlands, and overgrazing. Local community has positive attitude towards wetland conservation, and therefore the office of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Forestry and Environmental Protection, and Biodiversity Conservation should work collaboratively to initiate and mobilize local communities to conserve wetlands and to reduce pressures on wetland resources,
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