| dc.description.abstract | Lakes, Wetlands Streams, Rivers and Forests are one of the most productive ecosystems in the
world, as they provide benefits to humans and the environment. Despite their value, these
ecological systems are being degraded at an unprecedented rate. The research investigated on the
applicability of environmental buffers in urbanized areas, Challenges faced by the enforcement
team of Katabi Town Council Implications of the Buffers on the People and the Environment.
The main objective of this study was to investigate the applicability of Environmental buffers in
the urbanized areas using Katabi Town Council as a case study. Three specific objectives were set,
included mapping out the different buffer zones and examine the basis for their sizes, examining
the implications of different Buffers sizes in relation to the National Physical Planning Standards
and Guidelines 2011 and identifying possible measures to the challenges of encroachment on
ecologically sensitive areas in Katabi Town Council. In order to achieve the study objectives, a
mix of methods were used. These included, observation, photography, administering of
questionnaires, interviews, literature review and use of maps and for data analysis.
Results from the survey showed that the biggest threats to applicability of Buffers are the Land
Ownerships, undemarcated land for the buffers and the Political interferences, these followed by
human activities that transform them, according to the research there are several activities that take
place within these buffer zones and these included, creation of settlements, road construction,
Horticulture, Hotel Developments, and many lake front activities, farming, harvesting animal
grass, brick making, car washing among others which have resulted in severe degradation and
unrealization of buffers. There are various impacts that were noted to be arising out of human
encroachment and these included; Loss of vegetation cover, flooding, water pollution, weather and
several others.
Implementation of environmental Buffers by the enforcement team is a major gap in achieving
them, though planned in the Physical development plans, actually most of them have never been
implemented. With increased human activities in the environmentally sensitive areas like wetland,
exposes to flooding and pollution which has more impacts on the health and livelihoods of
vulnerable communities. There is a need for coordinated adaptation strategies that involve all
stakeholders, these include, community participation and awareness, setting rules and regulations,
which are to be fostered by the government of Uganda, and using of alternative pieces of land
instead of the wetland, possibly through zoning out the wetland and restricting certain activities to
specific zones so as to enhance equitable utilization of wetland resources among others. | en_US |
