College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources Management

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Author: search.filters.author.Alemu Girmay WuyuHas files: Yes

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    Effect of war on natural resources management and implication for alternative energy use in the Samre and Tsirae-Wemberta dstrict , Tigray, Ethiopia
    (Mekelle University, 2025-05-17) Alemu Girmay Wuyu
    The Tigray war (November 2020 to march 2022) profoundly disrupted natural resource management (NRM) practices and alternative energy use in Samre and Tsirae-Wemberta Weredas, Tigray, Ethiopia. This study investigated the war’s impact on NRM, governance bylaws, and the potential of alternative energy use, particularly solar cookers and lighting, to minimize resource damage and cope with energy resource shortage. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 251 households through surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and observations in Adgba (Samre) and Hayelom (Tsirae-Wemberta) kebeles. Findings reveal widespread damage to soil and water conservation structures (e.g., 80.9% reported stone bund destruction) and biological conservation, with firewood collection doubling (2.19 to 4.86 donkey loads annually) and grazing in ex-closure areas surging fourfold (39 to 155.69 days/year) during the war. NRM bylaws collapsed, with 65.5% (Samre) and 61.5% (Tsirae-Wemberta) of respondents noting severe disruption, leaving only 24% and 16% perceiving active bylaws post-war. Despite 98.4% familiarity with solar energy, reliance on traditional fuels persisted (wood: 3.39 to 3.98 donkey loads/month; charcoal: 1.31 to 1.75 during the war), driven by cost, access barriers, and disrupted supply chains. The study underscores the need for rehabilitate NRM infrastructure, restore governance, and promote solar technology through support and aid, training, and pilot programs to mitigate environmental degradation and support post-conflict recovery. These findings inform policies for sustainable resource management and energy transitions in war-affected regions.