Forest governance dynamics in Ethiopia : histories, arrangements, and practices

This thesis deals with forest governance in Ethiopia. Forest governance is an important subject to study both as an emerging field of scientific analysis and as a means to understand and tackle the practical challenges facing forest resource management and conservation. Forests are one of the vital renewable resources that support the livelihoods of millions of people in Ethiopia. Despite their significance, Ethiopia is fast losing its forest resources due to intense and unsustainable human uses coupled with institutional and policy deficiencies. This study aims to provide a better understanding of how forest governance has developed and been practiced in Ethiopia over the past five decades. It analyses forest governance dynamics over several years, at multiple political-administrative levels, from multi-actor perspectives, and the effect of the new governance system on local forest management practices. The thesis thereby contributes to the scientific analysis of governance from the perspective of a country for which there is a dearth of relevant research. It also comprehensively explains the establishment process and performance of forest governance reforms in Ethiopia. It is hoped that the results will assist people who design and implement forest and related natural resource policies.