Assessing the Level of Awareness of the Impact of Charcoal on Forest Degradation in Mpigi District
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Date
2022-10
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Publisher
Kampala International University
Abstract
The study conducted for Assessing the level of awareness of the impact of charcoal burning on forest degradation in Mpigi District. The objectives were to assess the level of knowledge of the long-term effects of charcoal burning on the environment in Mpigi district secondly to examine the effect of charcoal burning on forests usage/ degradation and finally to establish mechanisms for sustainable charcoal burning to enhance forest conservation in Mpigi district. The data was collected from 315 respondents using questionnaires and 8 Key informant interviews. The study found that people in Mpigi district had little or low awareness on the long-term effects of charcoal burning on the environment. The findings for the study show that 36.8% respondents were aware, 112(35.6%) respondents disagreed to awareness while 87(27.6%) respondents were not sure. The long-term effects of charcoal burning were on the environment, forests and agriculture in the long run; the occurrence of charcoal burning reduced the environmental features of forests and agriculture. Secondly the study found that charcoal burning reduces the forests coverage, the effect of the charcoal burning was reduction of the forest cover reducing significantly the forests both of natural and manmade, these effectively reduce the values of the forest covers presenting a negative influence for the forest coverage in Mpigi district. Thirdly the study reveals that mechanisms in place for government for sustainable charcoal burning in Mpigi district indicate that enhanced legal framework for managing forests, Community sensitization on deforestation, providing security in the forest and finally Instituted strict forest monitoring are the mechanisms put in place for the sustainable charcoal burning in the district. The study concludes that in the long run, the charcoal burning significantly affects the environment in Mpigi district. The effect of charcoal burning to the environment significantly remains high with the influences generally degrading the environment. secondly the study found that charcoal burning reduces the forests coverage, the effect of the charcoal burning was reduction of the forest cover reducing significantly the forests both of natural and manmade, these effectively reduce the values of the forest covers presenting a negative influence for the forests coverage in Mpigi district thirdly the study on the mechanisms in place for government for sustainable charcoal burning in Mpigi district indicate that enhanced legal framework for managing forests, Community sensitization on deforestation, providing security in the forest and finally Instituted strict forest monitoring are the mechanisms put in place for the sustainable charcoal burning in the district. The study recommends that first, the government of Uganda, through the relevant authorities, implements the existing forest and resource laws so as to ensure proper usage of the forest related products, Secondly, there is need for the forests usage to be improved, developed and enhanced through generating efficiency of the forest system. The power of charcoal production needs to be developed with efficiency and regulations be possibly developed for the managerial policy and development mechanisms. Thirdly the study recommends that there is need for Increased monitoring and enforcement of illegal timber extraction should be conducted by both local and government stakeholders. There is need for strengthening laws transferring increased decision-making and law enforcement authority to local communities could result the further decentralization of decision-making power
Description
A Research Report Submitted to School of Natural And Applied Sciences In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award Of Master’s Degree of Environmental Management Of Kampala International University
Keywords
Awareness, Charcoal, Forest Degradation, Mpigi District