Forest Allocation, Benefit Sharing, and Management Practice in the KOBO Community Forest Among the Sheka People
Abstract Background: Sheka people have the right to forest allocation, benefit sharing, and management practice that they possess due to traditional ownership or other traditional occupation. Locally, these forests are known as KOBO. There is a scarcity of documented information on the KOBO culture of forest allocation, benefit sharing, and management practice among Sheka people. A study was conducted in Sheka zone southwestern Ethiopia.Methods: A framework based on ethnographic information is proposed in this paper; accordingly, qualitative indicators are suggested for different variables relating to indigenous forest allocation, benefit sharing, and management practice. A representative sample of 20 volunteered research participants were chosen. Observational and interview surveys were done by the first author through personal visits. Results: The analysis of data shows the KOBO culture is productive and efficient for forest management, and this useful culture has demonstrated its significance in the protection of various forest types and tree species, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity. These results lend support to the idea that the KOBO forest conservation culture is illustrated in the Sheka people forest utilization, protection, and management provide important insights into the protection of various forest types and tree species, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity.Conclusions: Understanding, the current KOBO culture of forest allocation, benefit sharing, and management practices could substantially enhance sustainable forest management and social and economic development of the Sheka people.