Perception of local communities on protected areas: lessons drawn from the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Local communities' perceptions of protected areas, particularly the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia, reveal that top-down management approaches hinder sustainability and community engagement. The study highlights the need for improved communication, short-term economic benefits, and the establishment of multistakeholder platforms to foster dialogue and co-production of knowledge. These measures are crucial for addressing unhealthy relationships between communities and protected areas, which can be mitigated through continuous meetings, awareness-raising campaigns, and integrating income-generating activities. The research used household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to gather data, emphasizing the importance of understanding complex human-environment interactions to tailor effective management strategies.

Gulte, E., Tadele, H., Haileslassie, A., & Mekuria, W. (2023). Perception of local communities on protected areas: lessons drawn from the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Ecosystems and People, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2227282