Assessing the implications of sand mining on livelihoods in Lwera wetland Kalungu district in greater Masaka

Abstract

Wetlands are one of the most valuable ecosystems but are fast getting degraded. Increasing threats of environmental degradation to wetlands has driven adoption of ecological restoration as one of the tools for conservation. The trends can be reversed through adopting effective restoration measures targeting wetland restoration. The overall aim of this study was to analyze the implications of sand mining on the Lwera wetland so as to develop sustainable mechanisms to ensure that the vital ecosystems are being protected and restored. Specifically, the study sought to examine the drivers of sand mining activities in Lwera wetland system and to determine the impacts of sand mining on the livelihoods in Lwera Wetland and finally to establish feasible measures to curb the Socio-environmental and ecological impacts arising from sand mining in Lwera wetland. A cross sectional research study was undertaken using a mixed approach where simple random sampling was employed in selection of the households for interviews and purposive sampling on the key informants. Data was collected through field surveys, interviews and direct field observations and then analyzed using thematic content analyses were descriptive statistics were used. The study findings revealed that sand being a source of income, poverty, availability of labor, availability of sand deposits and the available government policies are the common drivers of sand mining in Lwera wetland. pollution, change in water flow, silting of water sources, loss of biodiversity and soil erosion are some of the Environmental Negative Implications of sand mining and the socio-economic negative implications included pollution of water sources, noise, accidents and floods. In addition, sand mining was found to have some positive implications on livelihoods which included construction purposes, creation of employment opportunities, and development of infrastructures and source of income to the people. The study further revealed the feasible measures to curb the Socio-environmental and ecological impacts arising from sand mining in Lwera wetland which included afforestation, dredging, de-silting, integration of community participation and promotion of gender equality. The study concludes that, although sand mining supports the livelihoods, it also has the capacity of degrading the environment. The study recommends the need to develop a suitable land use plan for the area to check out the badly degraded areas and the need for public participation in the planning, development and implementation of the wetlands management activities.