Assessment of Bush Burning On Savanna in Ruzizi Plain South-Kivu Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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Date
2024
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Abstract
Bush burning is rampant in many rural communities of the world. It has led to loss of valuable flora and fauna. Loss of habitat is one of the major threats to the existence of wildlife anywhere in the world. This problem is exacerbated by activities of burn farmers, hunters and poachers. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, deforestation and forest degradation are mainly the result of the expansion of slash-and-burn agriculture (the main form of agriculture in that part of the country). The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of bush burnings on savanna in Ruzizi plain, South-Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A number of tools were used during collection of data and these included: questionnaire, interviews and documentary review. Data from questionnaire were collected from 400 respondents. Descriptive statistical analyses such as frequency and percentage were used to analyze the data obtained. Reasons for bush burning include hunting and poaching (35%), agriculture (30%), low management of pasture (15%), ill intentions (13%), weak policies (5%) and cigarettes butts left on the land (2%). The effects of bush burning on biodiversity and human health in Ruzizi Plain are destruction of vegetation cover, destruction of soil texture and its organisms, extinction of some wild species, burns and injuries, respiration issues and skin problems. People living in Ruzizi plain are of the view that bush-burning activity should be arrested. The study recommended agro-forestry practices, education and aggressive campaign against bush burning, strengthen savannas surveillance during dry season, reforestation, community outreach, management of pastures, installation of firebreaks, law enforcement and setting up of an alert system