A Case study of Gich community perspective to Sustainable Tourism Development at resettled site of Debark in Semin Mountain National Park (SMNP) Ethiopia

Dr. Sanjay Joshi

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2018

A Case study of Gich community perspective to Sustainable Tourism Development at resettled site of Debark in Semin Mountain National Park (SMNP) Ethiopia

Dr. Sanjay Joshi

Abstract :

The study area being a resettled site for the people does not have adequate information to survivein such a different geographical conditionsand lack of knowledge towards new form of businesseslimit them to workout for the alternative sources of livelihood. These communities were previously depending upon agricultural for food, income and for their day today survival. The factorsthat were prevalent in a resettled site compelled the community to involve in unsustainable practices. So, the objective of the study is to look out foran alternative livelihood options for Gich local community of Semin Mountain National Parks (Newly resettle site of Debark). The study is descriptive inits nature and qualitative &quantitative research methodology was adopted. Data collection was done on the basis of personal interviews, through questionnaire survey and FGD’s. Frequency, percentage, average mean, one way ANOVA, independent t–test, one sample test and paired co–relation were employed.Local communities those are settled near and around the park have best possible livelihood opportunities such as off farm activities (carpenter, masonry, house painting, timber house, mill , bakery etc..), small scale agro based practiceslike (poultry , livestock reå, dairy,fruit orchards etc.), tourism product development ( handy crafts, traditional coffee , local beer , honey beer, traditional restaurants, traditional music house or “Azmari”, and tourism sector related employment (souvenir shops, chefs, tour guides, guards of hotel, cleaners , house keepers, porters and raw material suppliers to local restaurants).Asstakeholders were not able to solve the resettlement issues of the residents, they were unable to have community associations, there were lacking electricity and transportation facilitiesin an around the site and that makes local inhabitants dissatisfied about theirresettlement.