A Review on Traditional L ivestock Movement Systems (Godantu) in Bale Zone: An Implication to Utilization of Natural Resources

Livestock is a key livelihood component for the majority of inhabitants of the Bale Eco region and sh ould be central to sustainable land and resource use planning and management in the area. In majority of bale zone Livestock management is maintained through high level of seasonal mobility ( Godantu ) which allows access to vital grazing, water resources an d mineral springs as rotational grazing system and risk minimization mechanism of pastoralist. Even though, Godantu system is efficient and effective mechanism of natural resources utilization and management, the system is challenged by factors like Shorta ges in grazing land, reduced water availability (particularly in the dry season); long distance and time to access grazing area and watering point, resource user conflicts (between livestock and crop farming/forest protection/National Park conservation, animal health problems due to increased vulnerability, lack of support and government policy towards pastoralists .