Firewood consumption around Budongo forest reserve in western Uganda

Abstract

Wood fuel is renewable, but its consumption can not be sustained when the rate of harvesting exceeds the growth rate. Per capita consumption of firewood was 0.7 cubic metres in Masindi and 0.6 cubic metres in Hoima district. Sex, family size, and age influenced the levels offuelwood consumption. Willingness to participate in communal management of forest resources was influenced by sex and age. It is recommendcd that conservation of fuelwood resources be encouraged by introducing efficient cooking stoves and other energy saving measures. In addition, communities should be encouraged and facilitated to plant woodlots so as to reduce their dependance on fuelwood resources from communal and government forest reserves.