Assessment of the impact of deforestation of mpanga forest reserve on the community in Mpigi District

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Date
2021-10
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University
Abstract
The study set to assess the impact of deforestation on community livelihood in Mpanga central forest reserve, Mpigi district. The objectives were to examine the factors that contribute to deforestation in Mpanga Central forest reserve, assess the effect of deforestation on community livelihood and to establish the possible mechanisms for addressing deforestation in Mpanga Central forest reserve, Mpigi district. The data was collected from 321 respondents using the questionnaires and 12 respondents who provided data qualitatively, these were based on a descriptive research design based on both qualitative and quantitative research design. The study results established that economically deforestation with charcoal burning, farming, institutional factors that cause deforestation were majorly limited institutional capacity to monitor forests, with poor policy management in environmentally, the occurrence of drought is responsible for deforestation. Secondly deforestation affect community livelihood in Mpanga Central forest reserve, Mpigi district majorly through affecting the food security that negatively, it provides incomes and construction materials although environmentalists. Thirdly, the community has designed few mechanisms for addressing the deforestation challenge in MFR, Mpigi district, the majority through arresting people in deforestation, reporting tree cutting with and improving trees conditions. The study concludes that deforestation causes were majorly economic with sale of the products inducing it, though poor policy and institutional mechanisms and social beliefs increased the occurrence of deforestation in and around Mpanga forest reserve. Secondly deforestation was perceived by the locals as a positive venture towards the community livelihood. Thirdly the study conclude that the community and Mpigi district have developed few mechanisms to avert deforestation arresting people in deforestation and reporting tree cutting plus sensitization against deforestation and enhancing the development of skills for proper forest usage. The study recommend that there is need for promoting activities that reduce the pressure off the forest like sericulture, butterfly farming, improved bee- keeping, development of fodder banks, bio-intensive agriculture and farm forestry. Secondly there is need for increasing income and improved literacy levels because with improved standards of living. There is need to increase the capacity of a government to design, implement and enforce policies and people should be encouraged to plant trees at home.
Description
A research dissertation submitted to school of natural and applied sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of master’s degree of environmental management of Kampala International University
Keywords
Deforestation, Forest reserve, Mpigi District, Uganda
Citation