Author(s)

Yericho Berhanu Meshesha^1*, Belay Simane Birhanu²

¹School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
²College of Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of watershed management intervention in Chena Woreda. A systematic sampling technique was used to select sample micro-watersheds, and random sampling method was used to select individual households from both intervention and non-intervention areas. Data were collected through field observation, household questionnaire survey, focused group discussion, in-depth interview and key informant interview. Moreover, physical soil and water conservation structures’ layout measurement was conducted. Descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test and participation index were used for data analyses. The study revealed that the intervention has good achievements in reducing soil erosion, improving water availability and quality, developing tree plantation and diversifying household income sources in the catchment. However, poor community participation, lack of the structures design alignment with standards, inappropriate time of implementation, lack of diversified soil water conservation measures, absence of regular maintenance and management of the structures were some of the major limitation of the intervention. Therefore, this study recommends that the stake-holders should make appropriate correction measures for observed failures and further interdisciplinary study should be conducted to explore the problems.

Chena Woreda, Effectiveness, Intervention, Standards, Watershed Management

Meshesha, Y. and Birhanu, B. (2015) Assessment of the Effectiveness of Watershed Management Intervention in Chena Woreda, Kaffa Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 7, 1257-1269. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2015.715102.