Assessment of the Impacts of Charcoal Production on Forest Degradation in case of Gura Damole District, Bale zone, Oromia Regional State and Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract Charcoal production is the main deriver of forest degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia forest degradation associated with charcoal production is difficult to monitor and commonly over looked and underrepresented in vegetation cover change. This study was conducted in Gura Damole District, Bale zone, Oromia Regional State and Southeast Ethiopia. Samples of 168 respondents were selected using random sampling procedure technique from two Sites. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and eight key informants were used as supplement of the interview. Questionnaire surveys administered to 168respondents were used to assess impact of charcoal production on forest degradation. Data was analyzed by using SPSS Version 20 software to generate descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to analyze the variation of charcoal production from time to time, the gathered data was analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Major findings of this study indicate that, there was a linear relationship of forest degraded and charcoal production that in May there was a higher charcoal production and higher forest degradation where as in October there was small forest degradation by charcoal production. All of (100%) charcoal producers were using the traditional (earth kilns) method which loss 85%-90% of energy source. The socio-cultural orientation of the local households played a big role in influencing their actions and way of perceiving things. From study result Education has negative impact on charcoal burning whereas family size has positive impact and acacia species were the most preferred tree for charcoal next to Prosopis juliflora. It was also established that many people had knowledge on the importance of trees but were ignorant of the consequences that may be brought by complete eradication of trees without replacing them. A well thought solution that would treat the problem and not the symptom is the only way to help the situation. 7