Tadesse, WubalemMbogga, Michael2023-02-022023-02-022004Tadesse, W., & Mbogga, M. (2004, April). Conservation of Genetic Resources of Non Timber Forest Products in Ethiopia. In Proceedings of the National Workshop on Non-Timber Forest Products in Ethiopia, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia (pp. 5-6).https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wubalem-Tadesse/publication/359425822_Conservation_of_Genetic_Resources_of_Non-Timber_Forest_Products_in_Ethiopia/links/623b58b73818892e0a6c3351/Conservation-of-Genetic-Resources-of-Non-Timber-Forest-Products-in-Ethiopia.pdfhttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/7479During the last 10–20 years, human interest in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that appeared relevant to the growing focus on rural development and conservation of natural resources has grown (Arnold and Perez, 2001). Indeed, NTFPs seemed to offer hope that their presence in the forest would act as an incentive to conserve the forest (Lawrence, 2003), at the same time contributing to community development. This was based on the perception that these products are more accessible to rural populations and especially to the rural poor (Saxena, 1995), and that their exploitation is more benign than timber harvesting (Myers, 1988). Moreover, there is an assumption, often implicit, that making forests more valuable to local users can encourage forest conservation (Plotkin and Famolare, 1992; Evans 1993). It is now widely accepted that this has not been the case in many situations, calling for a redress in our approach to NTFPs conservation and use. Despite the fact that NTFPs contribute to tropical forest conservation and poverty alleviation was regarded as very promising, recent studies have cleared, however, that the alleged commercialization-conservation/development link in the NTFPs debate needs reconsideration (Ros-Tonen and Wiersum, 2004). The exploitation of forest resources has a differentiated effect, depending on the type of species and the parts being harvested (Arnold and Perez, 2001). The effect of uncontrolled exploitation of NTFPs from natural population can also have adverse effects not only on the species exploited but also on other associated species. This is why approaches to conservation of NTFPs source species that are sources of non–timber forest products need to be tailored to individual species and areas. Although some NTFPs play a role in rural livelihood strategies and can contribute to sustain forested landscapes in various tropical forest areas, there is no uniform picture as regards the actual importance of NTFPs to rural livelihoods (Ros-Tonen and Wiersum, 2004).enOther