Natural Resource Use Conflict and Its Management in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract Babile Elephant sanctuary (BES) is located in the semi-arid ecosystemin eastern part of Ethiopia. Natural resource use conflict is one of the major problems of the sanctuary. This study aimed at assesing the root causes of conflicts and their impacts on the sanctuary. Data was collected through satellite imagery,household survey, focus group discussions and key informat interviews. Land use/land cover change analyses were made for a period of three decades (1990-2020). The study indicated a significant changes on the drivers of resource use conflict of the Kebeles (p<0.05). The satellite image analyses revealed forest and grassland have been decreased whereas bare land, settlement, cultivated and bush lands have increased. The current resource use conflict and change in the land use can be mitigated through boundary re-demarcation of the sanctuary and creation of alternative means of community livelihoods in collaboration with the concerned stakeholders along with law enforcement and community engagements.