CONTRIBUTION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE ON FOREST CONSERVATION THE CASE OF FOREST DEPENDENT COMMUNITY OF KERCHA DISTRICT, WEST GUJI ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Kercha district, West Guji Zone, Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia with the overall objective of investigating the contribution of indigenous knowledge on forest conservation under selected forest dependent community. The study employed qualitative research design with descriptive approach, because of the nature of the identified research problem, that peoples’ experience conserve forest and practices to be studied. A total of 146 sample households were selected from the total households using multi-stage sampling techniques. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data were generated by structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussion. The study showed that community practiced different indigenous knowledge in different activity. Farmers those illegally cutting forest believed to be as cursed by God and Gada leaders accused the person and segregating from the community. Particularly trees culturally respected among community like ‘Wodessa’ and religion respected trees like Oda also some trees which community used for blessing. The belief and laws governed local communities to replace trees used for other household consumption or other purpose also use of fire outside of their home govern by this belief and custom of the society. The local communities in different agro-ecological zone local communities have better experience in planting trees before cutting for certain purpose. Beside best indigenous forest conservations expansion and appearances of modern religion and culture, expansion/increasing demand of agricultural land, market economies or livelihood system and investment activities affects indigenous forest conservation practice in the study areas. Based up on the finding of this study the researcher recommend community, government and policy makers to integrate modern forest conservation with traditional forest conservation compromising culture and belief of local community on forest conservation.