Impact of crop raiding on the attitudes of the local communities towards conservation of Bugoma Forest Reserve in Hoima District

Abstract

This research investigated the impact of crop raiding on the attitudes of local communities towards conservation of Bugoma forest reserve in Hoima district. The research was carried out with the objectives of determining the crop raiding frequency and intensity around the adjacent areas of Bugoma forest reserve, the effects of crop raiding on the attitudes of the local communities towards conservation of Bugoma forest reserve and the strategies that can be adopted by the adjacent communities to mitigate the impacts of crop raiding. The methods used included both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, direct assessments/observations and reviewing of literature. Analysis of data involved use of Statistical Package for social Scientists (SPSS). The results of the study indicate that animal species most involved in crop raiding/damage from Bugoma Forest Reserve are baboons, vervet monkeys, and wild pigs, several species of birds, squirrels, edible rats, porcupines and chimpanzees. Most raided crops were sweet potatoes, cassava, maize, and sugar cane by wild animals both vermin and non-vermin animals. The least raided crops include: rice, millet, beans and peas. These are mainly raided by avian species. However there are some crop species which are not eaten by wild animals but vandalized. Some of the vandalized crops include tobacco, onion, pepper, cabbage, and simsim. Over 96% of the population of Igwanjura parish adjacent to the forest reserve was affected by crop raiders. Therefore palatable and nutritive crops should not be grown within the fringes of the forest reserve, conservation education is paramount, coherent land use plans should be emphasized to determine where certain crops can be grown