Community perceptions on environmental education and sustainable management of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Abstract

The study set out to assess community perceptions on Environmental Education (EE) and sustainable management of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). Specifically, the study sought to find out community perceptions on the effect of EE on local knowledge, perceptions of EE on community attitudes, and community perceptions on community practices towards sustainable management of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design with both qualitative and quantitative methods to establish the community perceptions of environmental education in the sustainable management of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). A total of 484 respondents were randomly sampled from BINP adjacent communities. The study also purposively selected 10 key informants from the BINP management, Kanungu District Local Government, conservation agencies, community-based organizations and local council chairpersons from the neighbouring villages. The study used questionnaires, interview guides and focus group discussion guide to collect data from the target respondents highlighted above. The questionnaires had predetermined measurement statements designed on a 5-point Likert scale. A score system based on Bloom’s cut-off points was used to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of the community adjacent to Bwindi National Impenetrable Park. Descriptive statistics based on the means of the responses were used to interpret the findings. Furthermore, other responses to questions were analysed using frequencies and percentages and the findings were presented using tables. To establish the relationship between community knowledge, attitudes and practices towards management of BINP, a Spearman’s rank correlation was performed. The findings indicate that community members had good knowledge and attitudes about sustainable management of BINP. Findings further indicate that environmental education had increased community knowledge on the need for conservation and sustainable management of BINP. Results indicate that there was a positive relationship between environmental education and improvement of local knowledge towards sustainable management of the BINP. The study recommends UWA and other conservation partners to widen avenues of sustaining awareness and education especially through media (radios, other media), community role models, among others to improve community awareness and local knowledge. This will help influence and sustain positive community attitudes towards sustainable management of BINP which will consequently influence community practices for sustainable management and conservation.