The Application of A Refined SWOT-AHP Based planning and Management Approach for the Conservation of Ethiopia's Protected Area Systems

Abstract

This study analyzes the internal and external factors influencing the conservation and management successes of Ethiopia’s Protected Areas (PAs) system by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) with special reference to Omo National Park (ONP), Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS), and Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP) using are fined Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) of Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis. The indicators used within this multi-criteria assessment are those which improve integration among key factors such as governmental, non-governmental and private stakeholders. As a result the top ten factors prioritized are: enhancing direct economic opportunity; strengthening the law enforcement unit; reducing human wildlife conflict; improving tourism infrastructures; integrating cultural and religious amenities and incorporating bylaws; improving participation and awareness of local community; upsizing reserves boundary to protect surrounding areas; establishing buffer zones; creating connectivity with important biodiversity areas; and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem conservation with sound scientific methods. The mean consistency ratio revealed that governance (1.99) and economic influences (1.27) are the most important components for protected areas followed by the socio-cultural dynamics (0.81) and ecological values (0.33). Improving protected areas governance, sustainable tourism, integration of cultural and religious amenities, and formulation of conservation bylaws are critical to improving the management of Ethiopia’s protected areas.