Challenges, Opportunities and Potentials of Community Based Ecotourism Development in the case of Mount Birhan, East Gojjam, Ethiopia

Abstract

CBET is a very specific form of ecotourism which implies that the community has substantial control of, and involvement in, the ecotourism project and the majority of the benefits remain in the community. Mt. Birhan has very huge amount of natural and cultural resource to develop CBET. The research was focuses on assessing challenges, opportunities and potentials for CBET development. To achieve the objectives primary and secondary data were used by employing qualitative approach for (interview and field observation) and quantitative approach for (both open and ended questions). In the study, 95 Samples were selected by purposive sampling method based on their own expertise, knowledge and job experience from local communities and culture and tourism office on Senan and Bibugn Woredas, and also the Zonal level. The collected data were systematically organized, described, verified, analyzed, and interpreted accordingly. Based on the objective major challenges, opportunities and potentials were identified in the study area. There were some major challenges identified such as Lack of knowledge, over grazing and agricultural expansion, Lack of CBET service, absence of buffer zone, Lack of promotion, conflict of ownership. There were some major opportunities identified such as the commitment of the Gov.t and NGOs, the proximity of DebreMarkos city, collaboration of the stakeholders, differentiate of CBET product, and Suitable Policy and strategies. On the other hand, there were some potentials identified such as fauna and flora species, the four stepped mountain ranges, Abajime natural forest, Molalit cave, water bodies, Agew cab, Monolithic Cave of King Lalibela, Weaving, Traditional metal working, Pottery, Basket working from wicker, festival are cultural CBET resource to develop CBET