Challenges That Influence Management Of Protected Area, The Case Of Dera Dilfekar Block, Arsi Mountains National, Park Arsi Zone Oromia Regional State

Abstract

Ethiopia Has Various Protected Areas In Different Part Of The Country Areas Like Arsi Mountain National Park Has Been Challenged Largely By Anthropogenic Impacts. However, Unlike The Other Known Protected Areas Of Ethiopia, The Challenges Facing Dera Dilfekar Block Park Were Not Rigorously Investigated. So The Main Objective Of This Study Was To Assess The Major Management Challenges And Conflicts Between Local People And Park Managers. Survey Questionnaire Was Employed To Collect Primary Data And Literature Was Reviewed To Acquire Secondary Data In Order To Assess The Socio-Economic Situation Of Households, And Problems Of Natural Resource Management. Four Kebeles Were Selected Using Purposively Sampling From Out Of 12 Kebeles In And Around Dera Dilfekar Block Np .In Addition To Questionnaire, Four Focus Group Discussions Were Made With Park Staff And Other Eight Key Informants (Two From Each Kebele); And Again, The Ten Focus Groups (Five From Park Resource Dependent Sand Five From Non-Park Resources Dependents) Were Used To Acquire Data. Participant Of Focus Group Discussion And Key Informants Except Households Of Local People Have Been Selected By Purposive Sampling. Result Of The Study Revealed That Grazing (Open), Cutting Living Tree, Voluntary Settlement On The Government Side Were The Major Management Problems Of The Park. The Data Obtained From All Selected Sample Kebeles Indicated That, Here Is A Great Increase In Live Stock Population And Human Pressure In And Around Park Areas. The Major Management Problems Of The Dera Dilfekar Block National Park As Identified By The Respondents Were Grazing (93%), Cutting Living Tree (32.4%), Conflict Between The Park Management And Local Communities (91.2%). Most Respondents Had Appositive Attitudes Towards Conservation Of The Park. Therefore To Bring Sustainable Park Management In Dera Dilfeker Block Park, Require Awareness Creation By The Stakeholders For The Surrounding Communities. This May Help Create Sense Of Ownership On The Part O F The Communities Settled Surrounding The Park Moreover This May Help Mitigate The Conflicts That Could Happen Between The Interest Of The Local People And The Park.