Population growth, land use changes, land degradation and livelihoods are analysed in some PAs belonging to 2 woredas , Silte and Dalocha, in the Alkesso area. The area is severely degraded and the population is still growing fast. Land degradation, declining size of land holdings, declining yields and landlessness lead to widespread poverty and push many households to undertake various off-farms activities. Households also turn to seasonal and permanent migrations for securing their livelihoods. If the current land tenure, population growth and land conservation conditions are to continue for significantly long time, the practised coping mechanisms are unlikely to be sufficient to meet people’s basic needs.