The impacts of Nyabiku forest reserve encroachment on the livelihoods of people in the surrounding communities, Mugarama sub county, Kibaale district.

Abstract

This research project was conducted. on the local communities surrounding Nyabiku Forest Reserve, Mugarama Sub County in Kibaale district during the month of January 2016. The main objective of the study was to assess the impacts Nyabiku forest reserve encroachment on the livelihoods of people in the surrounding communities. The research project employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The data was collected using questionnaires, observation, and existing literature from the journals, websites, reports and books. Data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel, SPSS and STATA respectively to give descriptive und inferential statistics. Findings showed that the people encroach on the forest reserve in order to fulfil their livelihood needs. This is due to the poverty, limited land and policy failure. However due to encroachment, the forest reserve is degraded due to the livelihood activities. The environment and the livelihood of the people around the forest reserve are impacted on. There Should be sensitization of the masses, gazette and de3macate Nyabiku Forest Reserve, increase man power in environmental protection agencies such as NFA and introduce poverty elevation programmes.