Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation: In the Case of Arjo Diga Forest Ecosystem, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

The study looked at how residents in the Arjo Diga forest, East Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia felt about biodiversity conservation. The Arjo Diga Forest ecosystem is home to a great variety of animals and plants; this area may be a major contributor to the country's conservation strategy. However, over the past three decades, the realm round the forest ecosystem has seen significant anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, identifying the assorted factors that influence the attitudes and perceptions of local communities about protected areas and therefore the value of biodiversity is very important for local people to support conservation efforts. Purposive sampling was employed to collect data from three kebeles, which were chosen based on their level interaction, community distribution within or near the conservation forest and forest dependency. A household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used to gather data. The questionnaire study included 222 households in total. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. To explore the important contributing elements for local community impression and attitude, the Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used. According to the study, the majority of local household heads (48.6%) are unaware of the importance of biodiversity conservation. There was a significant difference in age (x 2 =36.216, DF = 3 and p<0.05), education level (x 2 =73.021, DF=3 and p<0.05), and annual income (x 2 =90.75, DF=3 and p<0.05) in the view and attitude of the local residents toward the conservation values of Arjo Diga forest. As a result, it can be stated that age, education level, and income were the primary determinants of local community perspective and attitude. Furthermore, respondents report that farmland expansion (29.7%), charcoal production, and firewood production (21.6%) are intensifying, and that (55.86%) of respondents were not involved in the decision-making process, which could have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation sustainability. Soil and water conservation, as well as fencing, were among the important mitigation techniques approaches discovered in this study and used by local populations to conserve and develop the natural resource. As a result, urgent cooperation measures between biodiversity conservation management and stakeholders, as well as environmental education, should be addressed as part of a plan to protect Arjo Diga forest, taking into account these elements that influence attitudes and perceptions.

Species composition, distribution, relative abundance, and threats of medium and large mammals in Arjo Diga Forest, Western Ethiopia

“…Due to the low punitive system in the studied area, the practice of anthropogenic activities appeared to be unrestrained. Deforestation in the study area appeared to be exacerbated by a lack of tolerance among local and zonal forest workers (Girma Gizachew, 2021). Violations between forest wardens and loggers might not be enough to stop the situation unless their operations are governed by law.…”

“…If deforestation continues, the current flora and wildlife of the research region may go extinct. Despite this, poor communication and a lack of active engagement had resulted in misunderstandings between decision makers, resulting in selective fire fuel collecting being allowed (Girma Gizachew, 2021). As a result, conservation issues have remained unresolved for over a decade.…”

Human- common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius)-conflict in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding, Southwestern Ethiopia

“…A well-designed mitigation strategy in the study area is therefore essential to improving the coexistence of people and hippos there. Furthermore, the conservation strategy should also entail community participation in the coordination of local and district management offices, as well as community education, factory workers, sugarcane guardians, and awareness campaigns [55]. The primary subjects of these educational and communication programmes should be the cultural importance of hippos to communities, their role as ecosystem engineers [56], and their worth as a tourist attraction.…”