ASSESSMENT ON NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN NYANGATOM DISTRICT OF SOUTH OMO ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

The aim of the study was to identify the local common resources, conducting SWOT analysis of existing traditional institutions, identify how access to and control over of common resources administered by traditional institutions, identify community and government proposals to enhance existing institutional mechanism and other measures to address unnecessary competition over resources and identify alignment of local government role with that of community priorities. The study employed Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) to collect the primary data. 1 FGD and 2-3 FGDs were held in each kebele. Natural pasture, trees and shrubs, livestock and water bodies are the major natural resources in the area. The communities in nyangatom have their own traditional way of administrating the available natural resources. Everybody in the community has access to the available resources but the control of these resources mainly lies on men's specifically community elders. participatory nature of the decision making system and way of acquiring information prior to enforcement of punishment are the strengths of these traditional institutions whereas poor participation of women, lack of long lasting binding rules and lack of regular frame of time for meeting are among the weaknesses. In addition, there are resource use committee's in the community that administer specific resources. The involvement of government in development of pasture land found to be poor. Increase in population, recurrent drought, disease outbreak, incidences of conflict and introduction of invasive alien species are the threat to NRM. Rehabilitation of the depleted grazing lands and introduction of improved pasture management, Maintenance, rehabilitation and construction of water infrastructure, improving livestock health, Expanding small scale irrigation, Ensuring security and Countering prosopis juliflora were the mitigation measures suggested by the community.