Effects of Utilizing Conserved Natural Resources on Sustainable Management and Livelihoods in Rehabilitated Watersheds: A Case Study of Ula, Waleensu, and Agamsa, Welmera District, West Shewa, Oromia

Abstract

Watershed management is vital for sustainable natural resource management and enhancing community livelihoods. This study aims to fill critical knowledge gaps by evaluating the impact of utilizing conserved natural resources on sustainable resource management and livelihoods in rehabilitated watersheds. It will provide insights into the effectiveness of conservation practices and promote community engagement, ultimately supporting the development of sustainable strategies for resource management in Ula, Waleensu, and Agamsa Micro watershed in Welmera district, West Shewa zone, Oromia Region. Data were collected through interviews with 126 respondents, and field observations. Statistical tools, including regression analysis, were used to determine the relationships between resource utilization, sustainable watershed management, and livelihood outcomes. The findings reveal that 69.84% of male and 30.16% of female farmers utilize conserved natural resources. Among the respondents, 73.81% have 10-20 years of farming experience. Pre-rehabilitation, 74.60% of beneficiaries had an annual income of less than 10,000 ETB, which increased to 20,000-60,000 ETB post-rehabilitation for 88.89% of respondents. Changes in production methods led to a decrease in livestock heads for 51.06% of respondents, while 22.34% attributed improvements to extension advice. Period of Post-rehabilitation, 46.09% of respondents utilized resources through watershed user associations, and 45.22% as usual during pre-rehabilitation. Regarding watershed management and rehabilitation, 67.46% of respondents reported 11-15 years under community-based watershed management (CBWM), while 32.54% reported 5-10 years. For watershed management by watershed user associations (WUA), 80.16% of respondents indicated 5-10 years. Post-rehabilitation resource utilization improved livelihoods for 37.30% of beneficiaries through increased income and for 28.57% through diversified income-generating activities. In conclusion, utilizing conserved natural resources in rehabilitated watersheds significantly enhances local livelihoods, boosts income, and encourages diverse income-generating activities for beneficiaries. The focus should be on enhancing community-based watershed management frameworks, providing consistent technical support, and promoting community ownership to prevent resource overuse and degradation for long-term sustainability.