Assessment of Forest Resource Contribution in Livelihood Improvement of Local community: The Case of Chato Forest Resources in Horro Guduru Wollega, Oromia, West Ethiopia

Abstract

This study attempted to assess the contribution of forest resource in livelihood improvement of local community: The Case of Chato Forest Resources in Horro Guduru Wollega, Oromia, West Ethiopia. The general objective of this study was to examine the contribution of Chato forest resources to the improvement of the local community livelihood. Questionnaire, Focus group discussion and field observation were used to collect data. The target population of the study was the local community who live in Bone Abuna and Gudina Abuna Kebeles around Chato forest. Accordingly 121 respondents were selected using simple random technique from both kebeles to collect data for the study. The local community uses forest resources such as fire wood and charcoal, wild honey, beeswax, wild edible plants, wild spices, medicinal plant, round wood, thatch and timber for house hold consumption and sale. Besides, the local community uses forest resources such as grass and some plants as livestock fodder. Therefore, forest resources have great contributions in improving the livelihood of the local community who live around the forest. The local community getting from the forest, fire wood, charcoal, wild honey, beeswax, wild edible plants, wild spices, medicinal plant, round wood, thatch and timber for house hold consumption and sale. The local communities don’t have enough understanding about the contribution of forest resources. In addition to this, the local community doesn’t get enough information or training from the concerned body about the contributions of forest resources in improving livelihood of the local community. There is a problem on using grasses and plants in the forest. The local community should harvest the plants and grasses and feed their livestock outside of the Forest. Communities don’t use forest resources equally and properly. To overcome this problem, they should work together to equally use these resources.