Coping With The Conflicts Between Agriculture And Biodiversity Conservation In Kiko Town Council In The Western Parts Of Kibale National Park, Kabarole District

Abstract

The study was about coping with the conflicts between agriculture and biodiversity conservation in Kiko town council in the western parts of Kibale national park, Kabarole district. Kibale National Park is surrounded by small scale farmers who depend on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. Due to the ever increasing population and shortage of land in the fringes of the park, humans have resorted to encroaching part of the park land to meet the food demands of the population. The growing of crops (like maize, finger millet, Sweet/Irish potatoes, bananas and cassava) and rearing animals has attracted wild animals leading to human–wildlife conflicts. Wild animals destroy crops and kill domestic animals, in retaliation humans kill them by spearing or snaring. The study was cross sectional research in nature where both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used. A sample of 412 respondents was used. The study determined significant factors leading to conflicts between agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the fringes of Kibale National Park such as; Educational level in years (p=0.000), Distance between garden and park in kilometers (p=0.001), type of crops growth (p=0.000), type of animals reared ( p=0.000), poaching (p=0.005), park land encroachment ( p=0.000), human activities (p=0.000). The study also investigated how farmers have coped with the effects of conflicts arising from biodiversity conservation and this was mainly through reporting to Park Authorities, physically guarding crop gardens and animals, lighting fire in the gardens at night and planting less palatable crop species. Reducing crop raids and animal killings, eliminating environmental degradation, eco-system conservation, boost in production and productivity were the cited benefits of conserving the biodiversity resources. The study identified the alternative methods for biodiversity conservation that can allow co-existence with farming activities in the fringes of Kibale national park such as putting a ban on those who encroach park land, gusseting national parks and game reserves, eliminating poaching activities, elimination of bush and charcoal burning activities in protected areas as well as creating awareness in the community about the benefits of biodiversity conservation. The study recommended Government in conjunction with UWA to intervene and fully compensate the affected households, this compensation should be in form of food aid or in form of money. This can help the affected households to cope up with the losses resulting from raids and domestic animal killings.