Effect of Environmental Rehabilitation Projects on The Economy Rural People and Natural resources Conservation

Abstract

The study aims at assessing the effect of Giriegikh project for community based range lands rehabilitation for carbon sequestration and bio-diversity on rural people economy and its impact on the natural resources conservation. The project provided different production inputs to its beneficiaries to assist them to diversify their production system and to encourage them to participate on natural resources conservation programs. The study targeted the agro-pastoralist group living in Gireigikh Rural Council, Bara Province, North Kordofan State and concentrate on the economic side of the strategy. The study was based on primary data, collected from the beneficiaries in eight villages belonging to the project, through a questionnaire designed for this purpose. For comparison purposes, non beneficiaries from three villages out side the project also contributed in filling a questionnaire in the same period. The sample size was composed of 244 beneficiaries and 100 non beneficiaries who were randomly selected. Secondary data from different sources has also been utilized. The research objective was to assess the effect of the project strategy on improving rural people economy and its impact on their level of contribution in natural resources conservation programs. Several hypotheses were designed to assess the research objectives. Chi-square test and T-test, were used to see if there are significant differences between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in some economic and conservation aspects. Descriptive statistics were also used for the interpretation of the data. Testing the study hypotheses enabled the assessment of the effect of the project in achieving its short-term objectives (the economic objectives), as well as long-term objectives (natural resources conservation objectives). 1- Effect of the project in rural people economy The study revealed that the project has significant statistical differences between project beneficiaries and non beneficiaries on the following aspects: -There were significant differences in income between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Beneficiaries’ income was much higher than the non- beneficiary group. -The project had a sound contribution on alleviating poverty among its beneficiaries. -People in the project villages had more access to some high value food (vegetables and fruits) than those outside the project villages. 9 -Women in the project sites were actively participated in the production process that enabled them to improve their income and their management and production skills. -People who were adopting sheep production got much higher income than those who relied on crop cultivation to earn income. This led the majority of beneficiaries to prefer sheep rearing as a main source for income. This was compatible with the promising production system for this environmental zone. -People, who participated in the project programs, were exposed to different types of training to improve their management and production skills, than those who were not participating. - Beneficiaries who were capable of developing their local sources of finance, and managed better their farms, succeeded to sustain their economic production. - As a result of the adherence to the master- land use plan in project sites, very low incidents of conflicts was reported among resource user, in the area in comparison to non-project sites. 2- Effect of the project on natural resources conservation - There was a high level of awareness among project beneficiaries, about their role towards conservation of natural resources and environment rehabilitation compared to non-beneficiaries. - People who participated in the project economic programs also showed a high level of participation on the different conservation activities, to increase the vegetation biomass. - A significant reduction on wood cutting for fuel consumption and home construction was found in the project villages in comparison to non-project ones. The study concluded that the economic support to the agricultural production in vulnerable ecosystems can bring fruitful results on both the rural economy and the surrounding environment. However, sustainability of the production on the provided activities, after the project period, will rely more on the availability of reliable source of finance and promotion of people managerial and production skills. The role of Government is very essential in these aspects.