Recent resettlement programs, as drivers for Afromontane forest loss in the Hawa-Galan district of Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has been experiencing resettlement programs primarily as a response to the tragedy of land degradation. The program, however, resulted in massive deforestation in the resettled sites. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating the impact of resettlement on the moist evergreen Afromontane forest cover between 2000 and 2018 in the Hawa-Galan district. Landsat TM of 2000, ETM+ of 2010, and OLI of 2018 were used to detect forest cover change. Likewise, an explanatory sequential approach of mixed research design was used. Hence, 118 participants out of the total 2232 indigenous and resettled households were employed to survey the impact of deforestation.The study area lost 55% of its total area over the last two decades, corresponding to average deforestation rates of 2.06, 6.75, and 4.14% for the corresponding periods: 2000–2010, 2010–2018, and 2000–2018, respectively. Our findings also revealed the demographic, socioeconomic, and backgrounds of the resettlers were the prominent triggers. Conversion of forests to other uses will have far-reaching impacts on the residual biodiversity and ecosystem services. Therefore, in the light of resettlement, it is high time for the Ethiopian government to revisit its intervention strategies and resettlement policies in the forest priority areas.