COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT UNDER REDD+ AND NON-REDD+ PROGRAM IN THE BALE ECO-REGION

This study is entitled "Comparative Analysis of Management Effectiveness of Participatory Forest Management under REDD+ and non-REDD+ programme in the Bale Eco-region." This study used a descriptive research design with quantitative methodologies to investigate the management effectiveness of 12 Participatory Forest Management (PFM) Cooperatives, six of each which were under REDD+ and nonREDD+ supported across six woredas in the Bale Eco-region. The primary data was gathered using Governance and Management Effectiveness Tracking Tools (GMETT) techniques, household surveys, document reviews, interviews, GIS, and remote sensing. Excel, SPSS version 26, and Landsat photos were used to analyze forest cover trends and other Land use land cover (LULCC) changes. The study analyzed the GMETT scores based on five evaluation criteria’s of in context, planning, input, governance, and outcomes, and household surveys collected from 448 households (224 from each group), were used to evaluate PFM forest management effectiveness. According to the study result REDD+ cooperatives scored an average of 71.4%, while non-REDD+ scored 54.6%, with an overall GMETT score average at 63%. REDD+ cooperates high score in most of GMETT categories, especially in input, governance, and outcomes. The study result revealed household respondents were generally high awareness and supported PFM scheme, with a median score of 4 for PFM importance and forest product restrictions, and while both groups had good in governance category. The study result revealed that the total amount of forest cover decreased by 12,882 ha, or about 20%, from 64,172 ha in 2014 to 51,290 ha in 2024; each kebele lost approximately 1,074 hectares of forest on average. The REDD+ areas lost more forest in absolute terms (-9,101 ha), but with a lower relative drop (18%) than non-REDD+ areas (27%). The primary challenges for forest degradation were agricultural expansion and population growth. The study shows that, despite the benefits of REDD+, both PFM groups failed to avoid considerable deforestation. Improving governance, law enforcement, income alternatives, and capacity building are critical for better forest management and conservation results. The findings suggest that improving forest management and conservation needs stronger law enforcement, systematic and regular forest monitoring, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods such as agroforestry and sustainable agriculture that reduce reliance on forest conversion through integrated and comprehensive land use planning that balances conservation and agricultural expansion. 4