Low public participation and weak rules threaten exclosure sustainability in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Range exclosures have been used as a tool to restore degraded communal grazing lands in Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Although there seems be ecological evidence success rehabilitation rangelands Tigray, is unclear translation these achievements into socio-economic benefits. It was hypothesized that this could partly attributed poor governance the range occasioned by low participation and weak rules. This paper tried characterize exclosure system Region Ethiopia understand key interconnected elements public rules at grass-roots level. Tanqua-Abergele located lowlands systematically selected from districts under Sustainable Land Management Programmes (SLMP). Five Tabias were district for study. Data collected 331 surveyed households, 43 Key Informants 72 Focus Groups. The results binary logit regression showed engagement determined gender, age, training SLMP, Tabia administrative role (p < 0.05). Participation local community during selection varied significantly with respondents’ roles = 0.026), age group 0.001), SLMP gender 0.007). main challenges reported undermine sustainability programme illegal encroachment exclosures. Communities not adequately involved decisions on establishment, formulation bylaws, benefit distribution. has led incidences forceful access resources within exclosures, often resulting conflicts among guards members. Institutionalizing management village level necessary provide ownership responsibility communities rangeland programme.