Internal migration, rural livelihood strategies and sustainable forest management: Evidence from Bench Maji, Kaffa and Sheka Zones, South West Ethiopia

Abstract In south west Ethiopia, the numbers of immigrants from other parts of the country have been large over the last few years. This huge migration is considered to be a fundamental factor in the degradation of the natural forest because of the livelihood strategy difference of non-migrants and migrants. Thus, we investigated the link between internal migration, rural livelihood strategies and sustainable forest management in the study area. The study investigated the effect of internal migration and peoples’ livelihood strategy choice on sustainable forest management systems. The research was based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected from 392 household questionnaires. The descriptive analysis was supported with an empirical analysis using a multinomial logistic regression model. Internal migration is high because of push and pulls factors related to the migrant people. In addition, there is a livelihood choice difference between migrants and non-migrants. Migrants choose farm activities rather than a forest based livelihood means relative to non-migrants. These high population pressure and livelihood choice differences coupled with weak institutional frameworks have created a burden on the natural forest. Thus, informed policy options regarding internal migration, livelihood strategies and sustainable forest management would be a useful approach to reducing the burden on the natural forest.