Perceptions and attitudes of local people towards participatory natural resources management in the Jemma Watershed, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

To restore the degraded watersheds, the government of Ethiopia has recently introduced and adopted participatory natural resources management (PNRM) in different regions of the country. This study aimed at investigating the effects of the various independent variables derived from demographic, socio-economic, biophysical, institutional, and cognitive factors on the perceptions and the attitudes of local people towards the PNRM introduced in the Jemma Watershed, North Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaire comprised of closed- and open-ended questions was developed and administered to a total of n = 420 random households in five purposely selected Kebeles of the Jemma Watershed. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression techniques were used to analyze and interpret the household survey data. The descriptive results revealed that majority of the respondents (92.19%) agreed that they had the responsibility to protect and manage the natural resources in the Jemma Watershed. Consequently, about 83% of the respondents had already accepted the PNRM program introduced in the study watershed. The results of the multiple linear regression models revealed that several independent variables derived from demographic, socioeconomic, institutional, and cognitive factors had significant effects on the perceptions of the local people towards ‘the concept of PNRM’ (68% variance explained), ‘the presence of PNRM practice’ (61% variance explained), and ‘the problems with the existing PNRM system’ (72% variance explained). The study further uncovered that several independent variables derived from demographic, socioeconomic, institutional, and cognitive factors significantly affected the attitudes of the local people towards ‘managing the natural resources through participatory approach’ (63% variance explained), ‘having the responsibility to protect and manage the natural resources’ (75% variance explained), and ‘accepting the concept and the practice of the PNRM’ (65% variance explained). As there are still some respondents who are yet unsure to fully accept PNRM, creating public awareness on the PNRM and integrated watershed management program and practice is crucial to alleviate the problems of deforestation and land degradation, thereby enhancing the sustainable use of the natural resources in the Jemma Watershed.