ALITASH NATIONAL PARK AND LOCAL LIVELIHOODS IN QUARA OF NORTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA: THE NEXUS

Abstract

Environmental resources are the foundation of social and economic development as they are the sources of goods and services needed for economic growth and development. Mutually supportive relationship between communities and nearby protected area is critical to the long-term success of conservation efforts and hence improve livelihoods of the local community, which is sensitive to environment. With aim to investigate the relation between the local livelihoods the Alitash National Park, cross-sectional study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative approach. Wide range of methods and techniques were used to explore the required data. Based on primary and secondary data generated from household survey, focus group discussions, interview and observations the natural assets such as land, grazing and different forest products are emanated from Alitash National Park benefiting and shaping the livelihoods strategies of the local community in different ways.