An assessment of the drivers of informal logging and timber trade in and around Maramagabo forest reserve, Rukungiri district.
Abstract
The study aimed at assessing drivers of informal logging and timber trade in and around
south Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve (MCFR) in Bwambara sub-county Rukungiri
district. The overall objective of the study was to contribute to the understanding of direct and
indirect drivers of informal logging and timber trade activities in MCFR. The specific
objectives of the study were to: map out the actors involved; assess factors motivating
informal logging and timber trade among adjacent communities and actors; and assess the
effects of informal logging and timber trade on the status of the forest. Data was collected
from a survey of 40 respondents identified through snowballing, twenty key informant
interviews and guided field walks. Data was entered, coded and analyzed through using SPSS.
Narrative analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. It was found out that the main actors
were people without land, the Bakiga, local community members, local politicians and
commercial timber dealers. Poverty, increased timber demand and political interference were
the main motivating factors. A chi-square analysis showed that actors were not significantly
motivated by any of the motivating variables (p>0.005). Informal logging and timber trade
reduced the number of medium sized trees, seedlings and increased canopy gaps. Lovoa
trichiliodes was the most declining tree species due to absence of enrichment planting. It was
concluded that limited income alternatives and political interference were the major drivers of
informal logging and timber trade in and around MCFR. The study recommended that
relevant government authorities should avail more funds and logistics to restore, protect and
allow natural regeneration of the forest so as to reduce drivers of informal logging from the
forest.