Journal Article
Local initiatives for planning sustainable natural resources managment in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. [2001]
Mitiku Haile and Kindeya Gebrehiwot; Ethiopian Society of Soil Science [Corporate Author]
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Some farmers in Tigray (northern Ethiopia) decided in 1992, against prevailing government policy, to divide and allocate a community forest area for individual management. After the establishment of the trees, the members of the community opened dialogue and consultation among themselves for the options available in order to manage the afforested land. Those farmers convinced the Baito (local council) and divided the degraded land. This challenge fro farmers was later accepted as a framework for developing a policy plan for resource management at a local level and it has become a foundation for application at regional level. This study focuses mainly on t he issues raised during the inception and implementation of the planning process of utilizing degraded lands for individual tree production at two sites in eastern Tigray with distinct natural resources base. The methodology of the study was descriptive and narrative. Soil samples were also taken for analysis. Policy makers, experts and beneficiaries were involved. The Regional policy stipulates that no land redistribution can be made on arable lands allocated during the last land distribution conducted in Tigray. This positively influenced non-fragmentation of land holdings and strengthened tenure security. On the other hand, many young farmers have become landless, Hence, the local council gave priority, while dividing sloping lands, first to the youth who were willing to accept and manage the land reso
urces. Second priority was given to the members of eh community at large. Size of land distributed varie on the steepness of the land, soil and vegetation cover and the population of he community. Similar distribution schemes are being considered on rehabilitated gullies and improved pasture lands. This study revealed that it is possible to initiate policy premises at the grass roots level to be pursued by policy makers at different levels. Moreover, t he issues of long-term sustainable management of natural resources lies in the hands of local farmers.
