FARMERS AWARERNESS AND PRACTICES OF FOREST CONSERVATION: THE CASE OF MUNESA WOREDA, ARSI ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT 33 Forest conservation is the practice of planting and maintaining forested areas for the benefit and sustainability of current and future generations. The main problems of the study are lack of farmers awareness, level of participation on forest conservation is low and no sustainable use of forest in study area. Forest conservation involves the upkeep of the natural resources within a forest that are beneficial to both humans and the environment. Thus, there is need of public awareness to save the forest. This study attempted to explore about the awareness and practice of forest conservation. The general objective of this study is assessing of farmers awareness about the practice of forest conservation in the study area. Specifically, the study to identify the status of forest resources in the district ; explore the challenges of forest conservation in the woreda; identify awareness of the local peoples about forest Conservation and assessing the types of forest management and conservation practiced in the district. Primary data were collected through questionnaire distributed for 296 sample respondents. Data were collected using household questionnaire survey, key informant interview, focus group discussion, personal observation, methods to obtain necessary information. The information obtained is analyzed using descriptive statistics. Purposive, stratified and systematic sampling methods were employed in sample selection process. The result of the study has revealed that different strategies were employed to conserve forest resource and awareness to people which plays a vital role for maintaining a proper balance of environment. To overcome problems, of forest conservation it was found out that people positively understand the approach of forest conservation due to the fact that it brought positive change in forest conservation, empowerment and accountability. However, the opinions of the farmer indicate that currently, the number and types of tree they do have on their private plot are increasing. As the result, there have been relative improvements in forest resource conservation of the area. Active participation of local communities in forest resource conservation and management is quite decisive.