![]() |
![]() |
eco.montJournal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management
|
![]() |
Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
![]() |
|
DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
|
Eco.mont Vol. 4 Nr. 2, pp. 13-20, 2012/11/26
Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management
The study analyses the effects of the relocation of the village Arkwasiye in the Simien Mountains National Park, a most spectacular landscape in the northern highlands of Ethiopia. The relocation was deemed necessary as just one component in a bundle of measures proposed by the UNESCO World Heritage Commission. In 2007 some 165 households were relocated voluntarily to the new village of Kayit. The socio-economic effects of the relocation were evaluated by carrying out on-site interviews with the residents. The results indicate that the relocated villagers are satisfied with the new infrastructures and social services. However, relocation has also brought certain disadvantages with far-reaching consequences for the everyday life of the villagers, and thus their livelihoods, as these have led to a considerable loss of earning opportunities and – against the aims of the relocation – to intensified grazing in the area. The authors discuss these results in the light of a recent global discussion on relocation for conservation purposes and come up with five recommendations. Close monitoring of key parameters is seen as a minimum requirement for such an undertaking.
Keywords: National Park-World Heritage-Ethiopia-relocation-protected area management-development co-operation-UNESCO