Causes and Consequences of Deforestation in Essera District, Dawro Zone South-Western Ethiopia

Deforestation is disturbing the strength and distribution of forests. The study was conducted to ‎identify the causes of deforestation and its consequences on communities of Essera district. The ‎cross-sectional survey design with the application of both qualitative and quantitative ‎approaches was employed. A multistage sampling design was applied, which means combining ‎different approaches like purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling procedures to ‎select the study area and sample households. The result was obtained from both secondary and ‎primary sources of data focusing on both qualitative and quantitative natures. A huge amount ‎‎(48) 80% of respondents prepare the land by slash and burn, 13.33% or 8 of the respondents ‎prepare the land by ecological farming whereas 4 of the respondents prepare the land by tillage. The ‎farming ways usually affect the size of the land on which one undertakes his or her activities. ‎Firewood collection was the major destructive activity, because, the local people depend on the ‎natural forest as a source of fuel energy for household consumption and sale. In addition, the ‎discussants bitterly objected to the destined robbery of the forest timber products as destructive ‎activity. Some farmers organized at the micro level to acquire lands for the cultivation of cash crops ‎such as chat, sesame, and eucalyptus trees. Firewood collection and preparation of land by ‎burning contributes highly to deforestation. Integrated activities like financial support for ‎scientific aid and serious planning data to state and local governments from agencies ‎responsible for climate, weather, and risk mitigation are recommended. ‎