Abstract: The main objective of the study is to see whether or not the conservation plans in Ethiopia have worked, and if not, to find out why they have not worked, by assessing the prevailing situation in environmental management and by identifying missing links in proper environmental management. The findings of the study analysis show that the underlying and deep-rooted causes of land degradation have largely been due to government and policy failures for centuries with particular reference to natural resource tenure and use rights. The authors recommend that environmentally sensitive policies, strategies, rules and regulations on the development of the major natural resources should be formulated and enforced.