Community Based Ecotourism Development at Kahitestsa Forest and Environs Awi Zone, Ethiopia: Opportunities and Challenges

The research focuses on investigation of opportunities and challenges of community based ecotourism (CBET) development in kehitastse forest and environs. Qualitative research design was employed and 40 key informants were selected purposively from 6 different target groups. Observation was also used to deeply investigate important information with details of structured observation check list. Information was also collected and recorded through Photographs. Secondary data source such as, journal articles, reports, proclamations and policy documents relevant to the topic under study were also reviewed and used for analysis. The process of data analysis and drawing of conclusion was employed qualitative analysis method. It was contextualized and themed in to similar characteristics and triangulated to reach in to conclusion. The finding shows that the area is rich in natural and cultural tourism resources for CBET. Moreover, accessibility and proper demarcation of the forest, engagement of micro finance (credit and saving) institution towards CBET, engagement of cooperative institutions to involve in CBET activities, availability of tourism policy and ecotourism guidelines in the area are some of opportunities for community based ecotourism development.  However, conflict between human and nature, lack of capacity, engagement and cooperation among stakeholders to involve in CBET business, lack of infrastructures and promotion of the forest are some of challenges for CBET development. It is recommended that environmentally sound, culturally friendly and economically feasible community-based ecotourism should be developed in the destination to bring local sustainable development. Keywords: Opportunities, Challenges, Community Based Ecotourism Establishment, Sustainable Development, DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/43-04 Publication date:September 30th 201

Constitutional adjudication in Ethiopia: Exploring the experience of the House of Federation (HoF)

Ethiopia has adopted a federal system de facto since 1991, and de jure since 1995 with a view to decentralizing power and resources from the center and to accommodate the diverse ethno-linguistic groups that exist in the country. As constitutionally entrenched division of power between federal and state governments is at the bedrock federalism and as the division of powers often is far from clear, it is inherent in any federal system that there must be an organ for the adjudication of constitutional issues and for the settlement of disputes concerning the competence of the two levels of governments. In the 1995 Ethiopian federal constitution, this task is entrusted to the nonlegislative second chamber, otherwise known as the House of Federation (HoF). This article attempts to review the experience of the HoF ever since its establishment by assessing the relevant Ethiopian laws and the decisions of the HoF. With this in view the first sections are devoted, though briefly, to the discussion of the varied practices adopted in some constitutional systems. The remaining sections discuss the underlying reasons for the adoption in the 1995 federal Constitution of Ethiopia, the HoF as a unique institution for the adjudication of disputes and explore its jurisdiction vis-à-vis the judiciary and analyse its achievements and challenges. The general trend observed is that despite institutional and pragmatic challenges, the HoF has over the years evolved as a legitimate body for the settlement of disputes at least as far as issues of high political and constitutional significance are concerned. This article further discusses the extent to which the role of the judiciary has been affected owing to the role of the HoF

The Status and Quality of Water Supply and Its Related Problems in Tula, Sidama, Ethiopia

Background: Water is central to human life as it supports existence and vital prerequisite to create a healthy and stable community. Water related diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation are major reason of death throughout the world. This study aimed at examining the status of water supply, its quality and related challenges in Tula.Methods: Household survey was used to elicit data on the status of water supply and related handling as well as management problems. However, field and laboratory measurement and analysis supplied data about quality of water in the study area. The parameters were finally compared to WHO standards. Results: It was observed that 55% of the sampled respondents were not satisfied with the water supply in the area due to quality, quantity and accessibility of the water. More than half of the sampled respondents did not practice household level water treatments such as boiling and filtration. Regarding quality, some of water parameters measured was found within the WHO permissible range and the others were in non-compliance. The measured average temperature of water samples across different sources ranged between 26–29 °C and the mean pH values in each source was still in compliance with WHO range (6.5–8.5). The turbidity of water in the study area averaged 1.16 NTU far lower than the WHO recommendation of 5.00 NTU. The mean TDS values of samples from tap, ground, spring and river water sources were; 120.15, 145.8, 139.025, 129.53 mg/l respectively. There was a considerable difference in the concentration of chloride among different sources. The total coliform bacteria results ranged from 2 to 6/100 ml with an average value of 0.97 colony/100 ml and found to be within low risk level of WHO standards (1-10 count/100ml).Conclusion: There is an indication of high risk of pathogens being present in the water from sources namely river, spring and ground in Tula. The contamination of water was not harmful as some residents practiced household level treatment such as boiling however, the increasing deterioration of environment, urbanization and industrial expansion emerged as a threat to water quality in the area. Keywords: water quality, WHO, permissible, compliance, safe wate

Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Associated Factors among Food Handlers in South Ethiopia: A Case of Wolaita Sodo Town

Background: Intestinal parasites infection are one of the most common problem in developing countries and the spread of parasitic disease via food handlers is a common and persistent problem worldwide. The health and awareness of the food handlers is of great importance for maintaining hygienic quality of food prepared and served by them so the objective of this study is in order to determine the magnitude of intestinal parasite infection and associated factors among food handlers serving in Wolaita Sodo town food handling establishments. Methods: Data on socio-demography and associated risk factors was collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and Stool specimen was collected from each food handler by using direct wet mount preparations in normal saline, iodine solution and formol-ether concentration sedimentation procedures as per the standards. The data was exported to SPSS version 16, then recoded, categorized and sorted to facilitate its analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple logistic regressions were used. Result: A total of two hundred eighty eight food-handlers, (194 of females and 94 males) were included in the study. Their mean age was 24.38 years, Only 150 (52.08%) of the food-handlers had education above primary school. 153(53.12%) of food handlers serves for more than 1 year. Stool examination of food handlers revealed that 97(33.68%) had one or more intestinal parasites and 12(12.4%) food handlers have been diagnosed with mixed intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent parasites 18(6.25%), followed by hook worm 17(5.9%). there was a significance association between Hand washing after using toilet and the presence of intestinal parasites (P=0.016) Conclusion: Relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasite is found in the current study which shows poor hygiene practice of the food-handlers working in catering establishments at the study site. Such infected food handlers can contaminate food and drinks and serve as source of infection to consumers via food chain. Therefore, several strategies like stool checkup, public education, the application of health regulations, controlling the validity of periodic medical checkup and training on parasitic infection transmission are mandatory

An Investigation of Tourism Potential, Communities’ Awareness and Engagement Towards Community Based Ecotourism Development in Kehitastse Forest and Environs, Ethiopia

The research focuses on investigation of tourism potential, communities’ awareness and engagement towards community based ecotourism development in kehitastse forest and environs. Descriptive research design was employed and 91 samples selected out of 957 households through simple random sampling technique for quantitative data; however purposive sampling technique was used for qualitative data. The data were collected through questionnaire survey, key informant interview, field observation and secondary data sources. Over all thematic data analysis method was used. Data collected through questionnaire was analyzed through using Uni-variate descriptive statistics (range, frequency and percentage) while qualitative data was mainly used to triangulate the study to reach in to conclusion. The finding shows that the area is rich in natural and cultural tourism resources for community based ecotourism development. Moreover, the community's positive attitude and engagement towards tourism developed in the area are some of prospects for community based ecotourism development although unsustainable exploitation of the forest for grazing, fire wood, housing, charcoal, lumbering household and agricultural materials are some of adverse effects on sustainable development of the forest. It is recommended that environmentally sound, culturally friendly and economically feasible community-based ecotourism should be developed in the destination to bring local sustainable development. Keywords: Tourism Potential, Community Based Ecotourism Development, Sustainable Development, Communities Awareness and Engagement DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/42-02 Publication date:July 31st 201

Determination of Some Essential Minerals in Honey Samples Collected from Chena District, Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to determine some essential minerals (Na, K, Ca and Mg) content of honey produced in Chena Woreda, Kaffa Zone, Ethiopia. For mineral analysis, nine (9) honey samples each of 0.5 to 1 kg were obtained from Chena district. Sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium content of honey samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. There was significant variation (p < 0.05) observed between honey samples. The honey sample SC1 had significantly (p < 0.05) highest calcium content (551.9 ± 21.9 mg/kg) and potassium (70.17 ± 1.24 mg/kg).  The result also showed that sample SC2 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) sodium (283.7 ± 18.7 mg/kg) and magnesium (47.7 ± 2.12 mg/kg) than other honey samples. Results obtained in this study, indicated that tested honey produced in Chena district are good for human consumption. More research should be conducted periodically on the elemental content of honey to indicate their origin and track the development of pollutants in particular areas. Keywords: Essential elements; honey; potassium; calcium; magnesium; sodium DOI: 10.7176/CMR/11-7-01 Publication date:September 30th 201

Assessment on Postharvest Handling Practices of Honey in Chena District, Southwestern Ethiopia

Honey is a natural food produced by honeybees from nectar or secretion of flowers. Even though honey production in Ethiopia is from a long period of time, the honey produced in the country in general in the study area in particular is still poor in quality due to handling problems. The objective of this study was to assess the postharvest handling practices of honey produced in Chena district, Southwestern Ethiopia. Majority (72.2%) of the respondents use smoke and fire to harvest honey from traditional hives. Smoking materials used by respondents in the study area were animal dung (42.9%), teff straw (31.7%) and vernonia amegdalina leaves (25.4%). According to the respondents, the smoking materials had negative effect on color, taste and moisture. Honey storage containers used by respondents in the study area were plastic containers (27%), plastic sack (24.6%), clay pot (19.8%), tin (21.4%) and animal skin (7.2%). The result showed that honey harvesting, collecting, processing, straining and storing containers in the study area are traditional and not technically appropriate. Awareness should be created for beekeepers on the improved beekeeping system, type of containers they use and how to keep the quality of their honey. Keywords: Postharvest; handling practice; honey; chena DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/89-04 Publication date: August 31st 201

Chapter 4 Federalism, devolution, and territorially-based cleavages in Africa

Whether it is possible to ensure stability, peace and social cohesion in countries with deep societal divisions where identity prevails over other bases of mobilisation is one of the central political questions of our time. What type of institutional design suits deeply mobilised cleavages? This chapter discusses the different institutional approaches adopted in three federations of Africa to manage politically mobilised cleavages, and examines whether institutional design matters in addressing demands from politically mobilised groups. The main issue is whether such divisions should be treated as building-blocks for political engagement and institutions built around them, or rather be diffused and deliberately divided into several sub-units. It is argued that institutional design does matter, particularly when there are deep territorially-based divisions, and proposes consociational parliamentary federations as opposed to integrationist presidential federations. The latter aim to divide major ethnic groups into many small-size states denying their self-government right, while the former aim to empower groups by redrawing territories to ensure they become a majority at sub-state level. They also bring the major political actors into power and minimise the risks of ‘winner-takes-all’ politics associated with presidential systems

Sesquiterpene and Ecdysteroid from Achyranthes aspera L.

Background:- Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) locally known as “Telenge or  ambulale” (Amharic) and Muchele (Tigrigna)” is one of the traditional medicinal plant used as contraceptive, for relieving asthma and cough, and anti snake bite in the indigenous health care delivery system of Ethiopia Objective:- Identifying and characterization of the chemical constituents of  elucidations of the n-buthanol fractions of the methanolic leaves extracts of Achyranthes asperaMethod:- Structural elucidations of the compounds was based on IR, UV, 1D NMR (1H, 13C &DEPT) and 2D NMR (COSY, HMQC &HMBC) spectroscopic techniques.Result: Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of this plant resulted in the isolation and characterization of two compounds AA-1and AA-2. Compound AA-1 is sesquiterpene named as 4,4a,7,8-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-4a,7,8-trimethyl-8-(tetrahydro-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2H-pyran-2-yloxy) naphthalen-2(3H)-one. Compound AA-2 is an insect molting ecdysteroid hormone named as, 20-hydroxyecdysone. Conclusion: From this study, two compounds were isolated and structurally identified. Compound AA-1 is the first report from A. aspera and plants belonging to the same species and family. While compound AA-2 was reported previously from the same plant. Keywords: Achyrannthes aspera, sesquiterpene, ecdysteroid, structural elucidation DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-3-02 Publication date: April 30th 201