| Abstract: | Ethiopia is one of the most severely affected country in the Eastern Africa particularly in
rangeland degradation which resulted in decline in productivity and qualities of pastoral range
resources, loss of bio-diversity and suffering of the people and animals in chronic food
shortage. The full implication of loss and degradation of rangeland resources as well as main
causes must be recognized in order to conserve the range resources of the country. The main
objective of this study was to assess the impacts of rangeland degradation on the livelihood of
rural pastoralists in the Yabelo districts. The data for this study were collected using survey
questionnaire, guided interview, observation, and focused group discussions. Two Kebeles were
selected purposively where rangeland degradation is high and the problem of food insecurity is
observed. Eighty five households were considered for analysis of data. Household size from each
Kebeles was selected based on the Kebeles population proportion. The results of investigation
showed that rangelands of study area is highly degraded .The area once three decades years ago
were under a good rangeland resources are changed in to new condition. Increase in human and
cattle population presser which increases a demand on the range resources use and lacks of
alternative sources of resource use and land ownership, incensement in crop cultivation which is
a newly emerging system in the area are the major causes for range resources degradation in
the area. Moreover bush encroachment, lack of commitment at individual level and
organizations in range resources management are some of the prevailing causes of rangeland
degradation in the district. An impact of rangeland degradation which influences pastoral
livelihood was clearly observed in the study area. Therefore, it is suggested that among other
things diversifying the pastoral economy, implementing participatory rangeland management
technique, incorporation of local knowledge privatizing the land, mobilizing the pastoralists on
resources management and conservation, creating sense of ownership and reduce the rate of
population growth through family planning must receive policy attention to reduce degradation
of rangelands and to secure pastoral livelihood. |
