Site Suitability Evaluation of Ecotourism Potentials for Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Community Based Ecotourism Development: The Case of Bench Maji Zone, South Western Part of Ethiopia
Journal Title: Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 8
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the potential ecotourism sites in Bench Maji Zone, Southwestern part of Ethiopia. This work was assessed the potential suitable areas for ecotourism based on bio-physical characteristics of the land ecosystems and socio-economic data. These are landscape (land use land cover), vegetation density (species diversity), topography (elevation and slope) and accessibility (distance from roads). These criteria and factors were selected according to the professional expert’s opinions. First, a resource inventory and a list of ecotourism criteria were developed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method. At the next stage Geographic Information System techniques were used to measure the ranking of different sites according to the set criteria and thus identify those with the “best‟ potential. Subsequently, the land suitability map for ecotourism was created, based on the linear combination of the criteria and factors with their respective weights. The degree of suitability of each factor was classified as highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3) and not suitable (N) for ecotourism. Based from the suitability map, the areas of highly ecotourism potential (S1) are located in north eastern and western part of the zone especially Shay Bench, North Bench, south western part of Guraferda, western part of Maji and, some parts of Sheko and Bero. These areas can be used for education as well as natural resource management and community based ecotourism development. It could serve as main ecotourism attractions but with the use of certain limitations and guidelines. The areas of moderately ecotourism potential (S2) are located in north Guraferda, Sheko, Minit Shasha and Goldiya districts. It can be developed as ecotourism destination by facilitating proper ecotourism infrastructure and services. These areas can still be considered for ecotourism attractions. The marginally suitable areas are appropriate for tourism development in general. These areas are located in southern part of Maji and western part of Surma and Minit Shasha. They are the most appropriate areas for development. However, the not suitable areas are currently not suitable for ecotourism, including areas with several effects of development and degraded environment. As concerns of their utilization, they may have some environmental problems but these are controllable. These are located in the central parts of Guraferda, Maji, South Bench, Minit Goldiya, Minit Shasha and eastern part of Surma.The methodology proposed was useful in identifying ecotourism sites by linking the criteria deemed important with the actual resources of the Zone. This study result helped to identify whether the land has been used by optimally or renovate for future development within Bench Maji Zone. The result appears practically useful for tourism facilities development and ecotourism resource utilization where ecotourism could be more developed in near future. Geographic Information System can then subsequently evaluate dynamic patterns of land use land cover as well as, providing a new tool for ecotourism planning in Bench Maji Zone. Analytic Hierarchy Process was effectively used to calculate the details of the factors and class weights. Likewise, this study can be used as a basis for evaluating the suitability of other areas for ecotourism. Additionally, it may also serve as a starting point for more complex studies in Bench Maji Zone.
Authors and Affiliations
Yechale Mehiret Geremew, Leul Yohannes Hailemeriam
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP381784
- DOI -
- Views 89
- Downloads 0
The development of roads and road transport network in Southern Rhodesia, 1945-1965
This paper aims to examine the development of roads and road transport network in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1945 to 1965, a period often overlooked by scholars especially considering the fact that an ambitiou...
An Overview of Monotype Printmaking
Abstract: Monotype printmaking cannot be exactly described as a form of printmaking, nor can it be seen within the practice of painting. It is a creative practice that benefits from the advantages of both. In monotype pr...
Missing Women: A Picture of Indian Parliament
Abstract:Gender discrimination has always been a part and parcel of Indian society. There has been significant social, economic and cultural progress of the society in the last century still discrimination, biasness and...
Using Education to Enhance Social Mobility and Nation Building in a Multi-Ethnic Country: The Nigerian Situation
This was an attempt to analyse social mobility complications, in multi-ethnic societies. Key issues around the discourse were social mobility, education, stratification and obstacles to opening up multi ethnic societies....
Principals’ Definition of Instructional Mission and Goals, and its Influence on Learners’ Academic Achievement in Kenya’s Public Secondary Schools
This study sought to determine teachers’ perception of actions taken by principals in defining their schools’ instructional mission and goals in public secondary schools in Baringo County. It was guided by four objective...