Environment and Social Impacts of Stone Quarrying: South Western Ethiopia, in Case of Bahir Dar Zuria Wereda Zenzelma Kebele

The study aims to assess the environmental and social impacts of stone quarry in Zenzelima Kebele.It has employed a descriptive survey design.The study area was purposively selected based on the concentration and environmental pressure of quarry activity.60 household heads were selected using simple random sampling technique.In addition, seven key informants were selected by purposive sampling technique.The data were collected using survey questionnaire, key informant interview and field observation.It were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and percentages.The study findings indicated that the major socio-environmental impacts of stone quarrying are reduction of agricultural yields, farm obstacle, loss of biodiversity, habitat and deforestation, land use change,change landscape,block free movement of animals, erosion and sedimentation, loss of aestatic value, death of livestock, death of human, property damage, air pollution (dust) and health related impacts such as stress, and coughs and colds.The local residents and cobble stone worker had not have any awareness about the impact of stone quarrying on the environment and society and did not get any training from the Government Administration, NGOs or anybody else about the proper extraction and management of stone quarrying.