Perception and Attitude of Local Community towards Participatory Forest Management Improvement: The Case of Dire Enchini District, West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Since the last few decades, the government of Ethiopia has introduced and adopted participatory forest management in different regions of the country. However, there is a lack of research dealing with perceptions and attitudes of local community towards local community participatory forest management in Dire Enchini District. The aim of this study was to perceptions and attitudes of local community towards local community participatory forest management. Descriptive and explanatory research design was used. A structured questionnaire comprised of close- and open-ended questions was developed and administered to a total of 132 households to collect information on the perceptions and attitudes of local community towards local community participatory forest management. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze and interpret the data. Results of the descriptive statistics indicated that frequency, mean, standard Deviation and correlation. The result of multiple linear regressions revealed that sex of household head, occupation, keep more livestock in the future, Obtain benefit from participatory forest management and Knowledge affect positively and significance at 1% on local community participatory forest management. And also, education status of household head positively and significance at 5% on local community. While, shortage of fodder for livestock negatively and significance at 1% on local community participatory forest management and keep more livestock in the future significance at 5% on local community participatory forest management. Majority of the respondents accepted the PFM program introduced in order to protect and manage the forest that were yet unsure to fully accept the concept and practice of PFM. Awareness creation on the relevance of PFM is essential to enhance the positive perceptions and attitudes of the local community towards the PFM implemented in the study area. There are still 52.3% of the local communities who haven’t yet received benefits from the PFM program in the District. Plan to stay in the area in the future and the practice forest managers should develop a two-way communication system with local farmers to move ahead with participatory forest management and integrated forest management. Tree planting and knowledge of the respondents on FM should treat local farmers as people with valuable information and knowledge on PFM and integrated forest management since they are vital for providing insights on how the needs of the local people can be met, which includes maintaining sound forest conditions