Review on Water and Pasture Resources in Pastoral Area of Southern Ethiopia: Management, Status and Challenges

Abstract

Rely on mobility and flexibility, the pastoral system optimizes the use of natural resources to maintain the livestock on which pastoralists depend for their well-being. As per review, in the case of the pastoralists of southern Ethiopia, however, numerous pressures, including poor policies, agricultural encroachment, and population pressure and land degradation are now undermining the resilience of the system and of the natural resource base. Moreover, both formal and informal institutions have been playing critical role in management of commons (water and pasture). But, this excellent system of resource management have been weakened gradually with influence of different external factors like; state intervention, privatizations of communal lands and marginalization of indigenous knowledge of community. Various strategies are being employed by NGOs to support the livelihoods of pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Since livestock is the basis of their livelihoods, an invaluable component of any intervention activity is to improve the condition of, and with its access to, water and pasture so that livestock can be maintained. To do so understand the rangeland context for effective planning is vital.

Keywords: Water, Pasture, Pastoralist, Rangeland

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/65-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2020