Empowering Forest Conservation: Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge within Southern Ethiopia’s Forest-Dependent Communities

Abstract

This study was carried out in Kercha district, West Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, with the overarching goal of investigating Empowering Forest Conservation: Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge within Southern Ethiopia's Forest-Dependent Communities. The study used a qualitative research design with a descriptive technique due to the nature of the stated research problem, which was to explore people's experiences with conserving forests and behaviors. In this study 146 sample households were chosen from 2224 households through multi-stage selection approaches. Both primary and secondary data were utilised. The primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions  This study found that the community used distinct indigenous knowledge in various activities. Farmers who illegally cut down forests believed that God cursed them, and Gada elders accused them of isolating from the society. Particularly trees culturally regarded among community like 'Wodessa' and religious respected trees like Oda also certain trees which community used for blessing. The belief and rules governing local communities to replace trees used for other domestic consumption or other purposes, as well as the usage of fire outside of their homes, are governed by societal beliefs and customs. Local communities across different agro-ecological zones have more experience planting trees before taking them down for a specific purpose. Aside from the best indigenous forest conservation practices and the presence of modern religion and culture, the expansion/increased demand of agricultural land market economies or livelihood systems, as well as investment activities, have an impact on indigenous forest conservation practice in studied areas. Based on the study's findings, the researchers advocate that community, government, and policymakers integrate modern forest conservation with traditional forest conservation without compromising the culture and beliefs of the local community for forest conservation.