STAKEHOLDERS’ ACTIONS AND INVOLVEMENT IN WETLAND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study examined the actions and involvement of
stakeholders in the management of wetland resources in the Central Rift
Valley of Ethiopia. Data were generated through interview conducted with 78
key informants selected from different stakeholders using snowball sampling
technique. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data using NVivo 8
qualitative data analysis software. The result revealed that wetland
management is in the dominion of many stakeholders that are categorized
into local community, government institutions, private sectors, research
institutions and civic societies. The stakeholder arena was characterized by
weak coordination, conflicting and/or overlapping roles, responsibilities, and
influence power asymmetry. Stakeholders’ collaboration and engagement in
wetland management is challenged by weak institutional frameworks typified
by inconsistency, vague provisions on wetlands, and weak enforcement. The
common property notion and the lack of clear property rights regime for
wetland resources exacerbated the challenge for proper management of
wetland resources. All these factors have contributed to the lag in the
management of wetland resources of the area which probably may lead to
unsustainable resources outcomes. Hence, there is a need to integrate
institutions to avoid conflicting or contradictory issues, enact wetlandspecific institutional frameworks, and design multi-stakeholder platforms at
various levels via public-private partnership for effective, proactive and
synergetic involvement of stakeholders.