Sustainability of the long-term indigenous soil and water conservation practices in the UNESCO designated cultural landscapes of Konso, Ethiopia

Recent urbanization and modern administration have significantly weakened the role of indigenous sociocultural and political institutions, threatening the long-term sustainability of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices in Konso, Ethiopia. This study highlights that while traditional cooperative labor groups and cultural values once sustained SWC structures, their decline—coupled with erratic rainfall and youth migration due to crop failures—has led to deteriorating conservation efforts. To preserve these indigenous practices, the research recommends government and NGO support for socio-cultural institutions to restore social norms and conservation measures. The findings underscore the critical need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern interventions to safeguard UNESCO-designated cultural landscapes.

Gashure, S., & Wana, D. (2023). Sustainability of the long-term indigenous soil and water conservation practices in the UNESCO designated cultural landscapes of Konso, Ethiopia. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, 5, 100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2023.100221