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This thesis focused on the historical investigation of environmental changes in Simada wäräda
during the twentieth century. Environmental changes seriously affected people of different
qäbälé’s in the district. This thesis examines the action of human beings as well as animals on
the surrounding environment and vice versa within the twentieth century in the district. The
thesis also examines the effects of environmental degradation in Simada and the conservation
measures of the two successive governments, the Därg (Military) and EPRDF (current), to
reverse the problem. To this end, the researcher collected and explored both primary and
secondary sources. Former Sämén and Bägémdir Governorate General Archival Center and
National archives and library agency, followed by Simada wäräda Agriculture and Rural
Development Office and Simada wäräda Culture and Tourism Office are the main sources to
accomplish this thesis. South Gondär Administrative Zone Agriculture and Tourism Office are
additional sources for the researcher. The researcher also conducted interview with selected and
aged persons. Furthermore, GIS analysis used to show land use and land cover changes for
twenty years of district. This thesis described the interaction of human beings with the
environment, the change in the environment and its influence on the lives of the people. The
results showed that changes in the environment chiefly happened during the Imperial regime and
the socialist military government of Ethiopia. Population pressure, increasing demand for
agricultural and grazing land, and for wood for fuel and construction are the primary causes for
environmental degradation of Simada wäräda. As a result the wäräda is deforested, the soil
depleted and land degraded through erosion. This environmental crisis frequently affected the
life of human beings as well as animals in Simada and neighboring wäräda‟s. The major
consequences of environmental alterations in the wäräda were temperature change, the decrease
of natural forests, and reduction of vegetation, the repeated occurrence of disease and pests,
water shortage, drought, famine, flood and others. All had resulted in death of many people and |
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