Assessing the environmental effects of wetland degradation on local community around Agu wetland Ngora sub-county, Ngora district.

Abstract

This study focused on assessing the environmental effects of wetland degradation on local community around Agu wetland Ngora sub-county, Ngora district in eastern Uganda. The main objective of the study was to assess the environmental effects of wetland degradation on local community living around and within Agu wetland in Ngora sub-county. The specific objective of the study was to assess the causes of wetland degradation, establish the effects of wetland degradation on livelihoods of communities dependent on Agu wetland. The study also sought to identify and evaluate possible measures put forward by Government to address the effects of wetland degradation on environment and local livelihoods. The study interviewed 60 heads of household found in and around Agu in Ngora sub county of Ngora District. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, interview and field observation. Secondary data was collected from documentary review of Ngora District development plans, Ngora District state of state of environment report, Ngora District statistical abstract, reports and journal articles. From the study, it is evident that the major benefit derived from the wetland was supply of potable water for domestic use, followed by food crops. The main cause of Agu wetland degradation was agriculture practices that has resulted in to loss of vegetation cover, destruction water spots and proness of the top fertile soil to erosion The wetland degradation was found to result in several adverse effects including ease of spread of diseases, destruction of houses, conflicts, famine due to reduction in output, scarcity of water, poor transportation, and floods, erosion, loss of vegetation cover, loss of biodiversity, global warming, and reduced wetland productivity among others among the dependent communities and the environment. The study recommends that the Government should strengthen existing laws and or make new ones that prohibit destructive and wetland degrading practices such as destructive cultivation and production practices, charcoal burning, nomadic cattle keeping, deforestation and illegal timber harvesting, all of which encroach and are degrading to the wetland and corrupt officials, proper demarcate all the wetlands boundaries in the district and carry of massive sensitization of the masses and finally intensifying agriculture and control other illegal activities in the wetland.