Abule E, Snyman H A, Smit G N
Adami Tulu Research Centre, P.O. Box 35, Zeway, Ethiopia.
J Environ Manage. 2005 Apr;75(1):21-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2004.11.003.
Pastoralism is the most dominant land use form in the arid rangelands of Sub-Saharan Africa, but this rangeland-based lifestyle is under threat. As a consequence a study was conducted in the Middle Awash Valley of Ethiopia with the main objectives of assessing and comparing the broad perceptions of two pastoral groups (the Oromo ethnic group living in Kereyu-Fantale and the Afar ethnic group living in Awash-Fantale) on the usage of the existing rangeland resources, and their views on constraints and possible solutions. Data were collected from 90 Oromo and 55 Afar households. Despite the difference in ethnicity both of these groups share common problems. They derive their main income from the sale of animals and animal products, but with the difference that milk products rank first in the case of the Afar and last in the case of the Oromo. Both pastoral groups depend heavily on native grasses for animal feed and to a lesser extent on woody plants as a source of browse. The majority of respondents were of the opinion that the condition of the rangelands is poor, mainly due to overgrazing, droughts and increases in the human population. Availability of water is also regarded as a problem, mainly by the Oromo. Migration is the first measure taken to solve shortages of livestock feed, but many of the pastoralists replied that migration is an undesirable practise which is mostly done out of necessity. Because of the limited resources most respondents of both groups still prefer communal land tenure where resources are shared. It is concluded that the problems facing the pastoralists in the Middle Awash Valley have been created over many years and the solutions will also require time. With the current approach of the communal grazing systems, sustainable utilisation of the rangeland ecosystem is not possible. Solutions to the poor condition of the existing rangelands will require a definite commitment and full participation not only of the pastoralists, but also of government and non-governmental organisations that are directly or indirectly involved in rangeland resources utilisation, management, conservation and other related activities.
畜牧业是撒哈拉以南非洲干旱草原地区最主要的土地利用形式，但这种以草原为基础的生活方式正受到威胁。因此，在埃塞俄比亚的中阿瓦什河谷开展了一项研究，其主要目的是评估和比较两个牧民群体（生活在凯雷尤 - 凡塔莱的奥罗莫族和生活在阿瓦什 - 凡塔莱的阿法尔族）对现有草原资源利用的广泛认知，以及他们对制约因素和可能解决方案的看法。数据收集自90户奥罗莫族家庭和55户阿法尔族家庭。尽管这两个群体存在种族差异，但他们面临着共同的问题。他们的主要收入来自牲畜和畜产品的销售，但不同的是，乳制品在阿法尔族的收入中排名第一，而在奥罗莫族中则排名最后。两个牧民群体都严重依赖本地草本植物作为动物饲料，在较小程度上依赖木本植物作为 browse（这个词可能有误，暂按原文）来源。大多数受访者认为草原状况不佳，主要原因是过度放牧、干旱和人口增长。水资源的可获得性也被视为一个问题，主要是奥罗莫族受访者这么认为。迁移是解决牲畜饲料短缺的首要措施，但许多牧民表示迁移是一种不理想的做法，大多是出于无奈才进行的。由于资源有限，两个群体的大多数受访者仍然倾向于资源共享的公共土地所有制。研究得出结论，中阿瓦什河谷的牧民所面临的问题是多年来形成的，解决方案也需要时间。按照目前公共放牧系统的方式，不可能实现草原生态系统的可持续利用。要解决现有草原状况不佳的问题，不仅需要牧民明确承诺并充分参与，还需要直接或间接参与草原资源利用、管理、保护及其他相关活动的政府和非政府组织的参与。
