The economic value of wetland resources :

Abstract

The study was under taken to determine the total economic value of Lwajjali wetland Kyampisi Sub County, Mukono district. The study utilised the contingent valuation method and the market price method to determine, values of goods and Services provided by Lwajjali wetland. The findings of the study show that Lwajjali wetland provides ecosystem goods and services which include: crops. fish, mushrooms, fresh water, fuel wood, thatching grass, sand, papyrus, clay soils and building. poles; non-marketed goods and services generated by the wetland were climate change regulation, medicinal plants and water purification. The highest Value for goods obtained was that of fresh Water estimated at 9,161,904UGX and the lowest was thatching grass estimated at 516,312UG and the highest valued ecosystem service was water retention with 12,365,086UGX and the lowest valued was recreation and tourism estimated at 923,136UGX. The total economic value of Lwajjali wetland in Kyampisi sub county, Mukono. district was estimated at 48,967,896UGX Lwajjali wetland provides a high economic value (48,967,896UGX) to the surrounding communities however, in its current state, the sustainability of the wetland is questionable as there are no institutions on the ground to control the use and management of the wetland resources. It is therefore recommended that the government; through key ministries (Water and Environment) should set up the government institutions, facilitate the formation of a Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) teams and empower the teams and the institution to manage resource use and management in the wetlands.