Contemporary prosopis dilemma: Perception of inhabitants of Sabian Kebele (Goro) towards invasive tree Prosopis juliflora, Eastern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Sabian Kebele specifically Goro locality of Dire Dawa administration, Eastern Ethiopia. The study was aimed at assessing the perception of inhabitants of Sabian Kebele (Goro) towards the exceedingly invasive Prosopis juliflora species. The surveys were conducted between October 2014 and February 2015. The study population was selected based on their settling in P. juliflora infested locality of Dire Dawa city administration, Eastern Ethiopia. Consequently, Sabian Kebele (Goro) was considered for the survey. Fifty informants living in the P. juliflora infested areas of the Kebele were selected purposively for the interview. Primary data were collected using interview. Thus, semi-structure questionnaire was prepared to access information concerning when and how the area were occupied by the plant, perception of the local people on the invasive plant, positive and negative aspects, evaluation based on use criteria, dispersal and control mechanism of P. juliflora. The study showed that, 68% of the respondents agreed that, P juliflora occupied the study area 20 years ago. The inhabitants of the Kebele have both negative and positive perception towards the invasive P. juliflora. They reported useful aspects of P. juliflora as fire wood, wind break, forage and medicinal applications. The overall use value evaluation indicated that, the wide usage of Prosopis for different purposes, though many complaints about its negative impacts outweigh the uses. Besides, the finding of the study has also indicated that, ecosystem degradation, loss of native plants and having problematic thorn for human and animals are the harmful aspects of the plant. Flooding, cattle and browsers are the most significant dispersal agents. Generally, the local inhabitants in Kebele suggested possible ways to eradicate the invasive species in addition cutting as the use of biological control, burning the stump and use of chemicals. Key words: Biodiversity, Goro, invasive tree, Prosopis juliflora, thorn.