Abstract:
This research project documented the merits and demerits of wildlife conservation in
West Bugwe Forest Conservation Reserve to the neighboring communities. A case
study was conducted in West Bugwe Forest Central Forest Reserve (WBCFR) in the
month of January of 2022. A household survey and key informant interviews were
used to collect information on the merits and demerits of wildlife around WBCFR.
The study of 22 respondents in the neighborhood of WBCFR, Busia district results
showed that the most practiced occupation in both villages of Ndaiga and Buyaga
were crop farming (46% in both) followed by Agro- pastoralism (27%), Hunting
(18%), Trading (9%) and the last occupation was Non farming jobs e.g. building,
teaching with 9%. It was observed that source of food was highest benefit which took the biggest percentage as shown in graph 1 and graph 2. It was also observed that few
community members are employed in the forest and this made source of employment
to emerge the last benefit from both communities. The biggest challenge faced by
wildlife that was presented in both villages was deforestation and climate change
followed by poaching, Epidemic diseases, and the least challenge was habitat
fragmentation. The frequently mentioned measure by the members from the two
communities were putting strict laws by the government (80%), followed by proper
boundary demarcations and fencing (75%), collaborative forest management followed
with 65% and eco-system restoration (60%).
Keywords: Merits, Demerits, Challenges and Measures.
