Potential of developing a buffer zone for conservation of West Bugwe Forest Reserve

Abstract

Uganda has one of the highest rates of forest loss globally. The disappearance of tropical forests in Uganda is a result of many pressures, both local and regional, acting in various combinations in different geographical locations. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of establishing a buffer zone as a conservation strategy of West Bugwe Forest Reserve (WBFR). Specifically, the objectives were, to analyse the local communities‟ perceptions, attitude and practices toward the buffer zone biodiversity management strategy as an intervention for conservation of WBFR, to profile, characterize and establish the intensity of resources extraction from west Bugwe forest and to determine barriers and acceptable working strategies for promotion of buffer zoning around WBFR. Primary data constituted responses from randomly sampled local community( house hold surveys) and focus group discussions were employed to determine the knowledge and attitude of the local community towards the buffer zone concept, observation checklist and hand held GPS was used to profile and characterize the resources extraction intensity by marking points of disturbance in the forest and The key informants interviews were used to determine the potential barriers and acceptable working strategies for promotion of buffer zoning in WBFR. The findings revealed that, majority of the community members adjoining West Bugwe Forest (93.7%) didn‟t know what the buffer zone meant. The major disturbances in West Bugwe Forest were charcoal burning, fire wood collection, deforestation, trampling and bush burning. The views from the key informants suggested that, the buffer zone around WBFR would relatively be effective as a conservation strategy however, the cultural attachment of the community members to the forest was the major potential barrier that may deter buffer establishment.