Causes and Socio-Ecological Impacts of Rural Resettlement in Ethiopia
Author(s)
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Abstract
Resettlement has been implemented in Ethiopia responding to drought, famine, political and socio-economic issues mismatch of population and environmental conditions, and also to cope with landscapes which could not sufficiently nurture their inhabitants. This review aimed to assess, identify and describe causes and impacts of different rural resettlements socially and ecologically in Ethiopia. Different published and unpublished documents were assessed and described. The review identifies that in Ethiopia, the rural resettlement has long history, as old as more than 800 years weather it was planned or non-planned type and or for political, religious and socio-economical purposes due to different causes. However, well organized and massive rural resettlement in Ethiopia was occurred after mid-20th century as a result of drought, famine, political issues, over population and a food insecurity problem which was hurt the northern and eastern part of the country. Since 1950, about 6 million peoples displaced from their original places and resettled to different forested and sparsely populated areas of the central, southwestern and western part of the country until 2018. The massive resettlements were aimed to ensure the minimum food requirement per man and to provide improved livelihood by enhancing socio-economic and physical infrastructures. However, there are still many gaps and various drawbacks of ecological and environmental degradation, deforestation and human conflicts with each other and with natural resources in general. Therefore, the rural resettlement alone should not be taken as the best alternative to minimize drought and famine or ensure food security while to guarantee effective food security in the long run, other environmental and forest resources conservation strategies should be adopted. Finally, a sustainable forest ecosystem services and land productivity of the resettlement areas have to be ensured through implementation of different integrated and intensified locally attainable and environmental friendly livelihood and agricultural technologies.
Keywords
Ecological and Social Impacts, Environment, Ethiopia, Forest Resources, Rural Resettlement,Sustainability
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