SOCIO ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION AND CHALLENGES OF ECOTOURISM IN CASE OF YAYO FOREST BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Abstract

The study emphasizes on the area of the Socio Economic Contribution and Challenges of Ecotourism in Case of Yayo Forest Biosphere Reserve. Tourism comprises the activities of person traveling and staying in place outside their usual environment for not more than one year for business and other purpose. Yayo forest is one of the remaining forests in Ethiopia; it provides many social and economic benefits to the communities. Therefore, make significantsocio economic contribution to the livelihoods of natural people and to country’s economies. This study were conducted to assess the socio economic contribution and challenges of Ecotourism in case of Yayo forest biosphere reserve in Yayo woreda, Illu Abbabora Zone,Oromia regional state. The researcher selected thirty respondents by using purposive sampling method study. The study was intended to use of research design, which means, the qualitative approach were used for interview and document analyzing, and the quantitative approach used for analyzing the data that gathered through a questioner, interview, field observation and group discussion. The study findings indicated that according to the local community perception themajor contribution of ecotourism in Yayo forest was source of income, employment opportunities, enhancing infrastructure development, Increase awareness about environmental conservation, encourage conservation of ecotourism attraction and also there is the major challenges for this study area, were lack of promotion, inadequate infrastructure development for tourist, agricultural expansion, deforestation, lack of educated power by ecotourism, law awareness about ecotourism, over grazing. Those problems should specifically identify and promotional activities and measures should be taken.