IMPACTS OFHUMANACTIVITIES ONWILDLIFE DEVELOPMENTIN GIBESHELEKO NATIONALPAR

Abstract

Many protected areas in Ethiopia are threatened due to ever increasing of population, habitat loss and degradation. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that af ect human activities on wildlife and their habitat, consequences, driving forces for anthropogenic impacts on wildlife conservation and also how to minimize those factors to manage the wildlife and their habitat. The data was collected by using both primary and secondary data collection. Primary data was gathering by using questionnaire, interview and filed observation. Secondary data was collected from magazines, journal and unpublished data. 50 respondents were selected purposively. Data was analyzed by using qualitative and quantitative methods. Gibe Sheleko national park has been af ected by dif erent human activities such as deforestation, agricultural expansion, over grazing and human settlement. The park was facing to for dif erent consequences like loss of biodiversity and decline of wildlife population. There is a lot of driving forces of anthropogenic impacts on wildlife conservation such as lack of implementation of rule and regulation, human settlement and competition for the use of resource. Generally, to minimize the negative impact of human activities to manage the park for sustainable conservation, keep safety of the park and local communities should be make collaboration with stakeholders.