The role of human activities on wetland degradation: a case study of Murambi Wetland in Butare Parish, Ntungamo Sub County, Ntungamo District in Uganda
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Date
2007-01
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Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Abstract
A research study on the role of human activities on wetlands degradation was undertaken on Murambi wetland, Butare parish, Ntungamo sub-county in Ntungamo district of western Uganda. The objectives of the study were to identify the different human activities being carried out around Murambi wetlands, to find out the effects of human activities on the wetland and to find out what has been done to minimize the impacts of human activities on Murambi wetland. The geographical scope of the study was limited to Murambi wetland. The methods used included the determination of the sample size. Data collection methods and instruments. The sample size was 60 respondents, drawn from the 6 villages which surround the wetland. The data collection methods were: - use of questionnaires and interview guide for the interview of key informants. Secondary data were collected through review of relevant literature. The study revealed that the main human activities being undertaken in and around Murambi wetland include; crop farming, papyrus harvesting, livestock grazing. Tree planting and the establishment of re-creational activities. Crop farming was found to be the most prevalent human activity, followed by papyrus harvesting. Establishment of re creational activities was found by the study to be the least practiced human activity on the wetland, leading to loss of Bio diversity and soil erosion. The study revealed that no effort has been done by either the local community or the local leadership or by the conservation agencies. The study therefore recommends a number of ways, which can be used to reduce the effects of the human activities on the wetland. These include: the creation of public awareness and the education on the importance of conserving wetlands, the reallocation of some human activities to areas away from the wetland and the implementation of wetland conservation policies and regulation
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Environmental Management in partial fulfilment for the Award of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management of Kampala International University
Keywords
Human activities, wetland degradation, Murambi Wetland, Butare Parish, Ntungamo Sub County, Ntungamo District, Uganda