In response to the 2011 Bonn Challenge, Ethiopia has committed to restoring 15 million ha of degraded forest and savannah. This study focuses on rehabilitation of communal lands in Tigray through the use of exclosures. Exclosures, often established by using so-called social fences in Ethiopia, are widely recognized as effective in restoring vegetation. This study identified factors contributing to the success of exclosures. After selecting nine successful exclosures from three agro-ecological zones, data were collected through a formal survey of 324 randomly selected households, and from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Local communities recognize the role of exclosures in increasing site productivity and vegetation cover. However, this positive attitude is often challenged by shortages of livestock feed as a competing priority. Results of our analysis are presented here, bringing insights on factors affecting successful planning and implementation of exclosures and their wider adoption as a means of landscape rehabilitation.

No abstract

This study is aimed at examining the livelihood strategy, benefit packages offered, adjustment problems and the coping strategies of exfarmers in the re-located neighbourhood of Derba kebele in Jimma town. To this end, the research site was purposively selected and in-depth interview with key informants; one focus group discussions and observation were used to collect the data required for the study. The study result showed that the livelihood of ex-peri-urban community has been jeopardized following the relocation to Hirmata Mercato kebele. This is because of the changes in the contexts that surrounds rural area and urban area. Since urban contexts are distinct from the rural ones and the households were not ready to be familiarized with the situation,and also the nature of follow-up and support given at post displacement time was less, majority of them lead a precarious living condition. As a result, majority of the households are not contented with the livelihood they are leading in the Hirmata Mercato Kebele.

Jimma town is one of the largest towns in South Western part of the country; it hosts significant amount of people who make their life through informal sectors in general and street vending in particular. This study was aimed at exploring the street vending activities in urban informal sector in Jimma town with particular reference to three streets with too much concentration of street vendors. The general objective of the study was to explore the existing condition of people engaged in street vending in urban informal sector. The specific objectives of the study are analyzing the socioeconomic backgrounds of street vendors, the working conditions of the street vendors at their work settings, exploring the threats and risks faced by them and their managing strategies, the reason why they engaged in the activity of street vendors and analyzing the livelihood contribution of the activity to both the operators and the poor urban dwellers in the study area and the dilemma on street vending activity. Related literatures were reviewed and examined thoroughly to validate the study. The study was conducted in Jimma, western Ethiopia; because the researcher is familiar to the area and the research site is easily accessible than other towns and cities to the researcher. Three streets were purposefully selected. In addition to secondary data, in-depth-interview, key informant interview, focus group discussion and the personal observation of the researcher were used to address the specific objectives stated at the beginning of the study. This study has examined various aspects of the objectives stated and analyzed some aspects in relation to the literature and data collected regarding the contribution of street vending to the safety of the disadvantaged people in urban areas. Thus, some of the analysis include that the street vendors have low socioeconomic status which resulted from low educational level and lack of adequate skill to get better employment, ethnic shifting of some activities (casual works and petty trades), the domination of youth in vending, participation of women who have more barriers to enter the formal sector. Some of the reasons for engaging in street vending for some people is because they consider it as a better option to low-wage employment and to supplement the income they get from the formal employment (low-wage earners), but the others are engaged in it due to acute poverty. Some of the vendors romanticize street vending as a vital occupation. They praise it for enhancement in their financial, human and social capital.

Noise pollution is an unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that causes discomfort to all living beings. Urban noise pollution is one of the problems of people who live in an urban area which causes different health complications and social problems. The major aim of this study was to explore the sources, extent and factors for proliferation of noise pollution in the study area. To attain the sought objectives of the study, mixed methods approach of research was employed. Key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussion, Survey and Documentary analysis were methods of data collection in the study. The findings of the study indicate that; traffic congestion and vehicles, loud speakers of religious institutions, announcements by loud speakers, night clubs, social events, building and construction works, wood and metal work machines, garage and welding works are major sources of noise pollution. The problem of noise pollution is aggravated by such factors as rapid urbanization, rapid population growth, road network and rapid increase of vehicles, the competition of religious institutions, and technological advancement. The extent each source emitting noise to the environment is above the standard given by EPA, which is adopted from WHO guidelines.