Assessment of human wildlife conflicts around Lake Mburo National Park and local communities mitigation strategies

Abstract

The study was carried out at in Rwamahuku village, Rwabarata parish, Sanga Sub County, Kiruhura district. The overall objective was to examine the underlying causes of human-wildlife conflict and the mitigation strategies employed by local communities around Lake Mburo national park. The problem examined is that that there are various human wildlife conflicts (HWC) in the local communities in proximity of protected areas as of the case off Lake Mburo national park. Therefore, the research sought to find out the extent of HWC and the mitigation strategies being put in place to reduce the conflicts. The specific objectives were to profile human-wildlife conflicts around Lake Mburo National Park, assess the socio-economic impacts of the human wildlife conflicts and to examine the mitigation strategies put in place by the local communities living around the park. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 60 respondents. Results reveal that there are different HWCs in the local communities which include crop raiding by buffaloes, zebras and others, livestock attacks by the crocodiles, loss of lives due to attacks on the people by leopards. Mitigation strategies put in place by both local people include compensation of the damages caused by wildlife by Uganda Wildlife Authority, digging trenches along the park boundaries to stop the crossing of problematic wildlife, encouraging the farmers in the local communities in proximity to the park to grow crops that cannot be attacked by wildlife such as coffee, tea, cotton and others. It is It is recommended that let there be compensation for the local people, sensitising of the local people on the importance of wildlife conservation, and also funding of the local community projects especially trough revenue sharing to provide locals with alternative sources of income and hence check on the liability onto the park resources for their survival. Lastly, there should be collaboration and partnerships between the local communities and Uganda Wildlife Authority to foster human-wildlife co-existence.