Evaluation of Fuel Wood Consumption and Its Implication to Forest Degradation in Agarfa Wereda, South-Eastern Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating fuel wood consumption and its implication to forest degradation in Agarfa wereda. The study has employed purposive sampling technique, in which four kebeles were selected based on their settlement patterns, exploitation of the forests and their proximity of kebeles to the town and forest lands. As a result, 134 households were nominated using the simple random techniques. The study utilized primary data, which were collected through household’s questionnaires, checklists, and participant observations. Results revealed that about 12 mostly preferred tree species were recorded and identified for fuel wood production. the total amounts' fuel woods consumed by the households were estimated at 65.14m3(39,084kg/years). The multiple linear regressions' model was employed. Occupation, household’s family members and time spent for fuel wood collection significantly positive linear relationship with fuel wood consumption at (p <0.05). From the result, fuel woods were to be the second cause of forest degradation next to Agricultural land expansion. The struggles for forest resource's utilization by agricultural households are not adequate to mitigate the problem of forest in spite of some efforts on part of governmental and nongovernmental organizations in mobilizing the household towards forest conservation. In order to confirm sustain sources of fuel wood it is recommended that the use of improved cooking stoves, providing environmental education, increasing income of households, tree planting, encouraged grooviest farming system, providing an alternative form of energy, strengthening law enforcement on part of the government on those who illegally and indiscriminately exploit forest's products, will encouragingly be reducing down the impact of forest degradation and socio-economic conditions of livelihoods of households of study area. Keywords: Deforestation, Forest degradation, Fuel wood consumption, Household DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/62-03 Publication date: January 31st 202