Economic valuation of road construction effects on selected water catchments, a case study of the Kamwenge Fort Portal road.

Abstract

The hydrology of catchments of River Dura in Kamwenge and Fort-Portal is not very well documented, but it has various biological, ecological, social, cultural and economic values which are still evident in some parts of it. Current road construction of Kamwenge Fort Portal road led to massive soil erosion into the water catchments of Dura river. The general objective of the study was to generate information on the economic value of ecological and environmental effects of the road construction activities to the services of selected catchments. The study focuses on measuring the economic value of the use and non-use values of the catchments in road project affected areas as perceived from the. community activities and determining the economically viable mitigative measures to threats to different livelihoods. The sample size was focusing on 60 respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather information from I Road contractor, 1 environmental engineer, 30 road seasonal workers, 23 water catchment users and 4 focal leaders. Primary data was collected from the five sub-counties of Kahunge, Nyabani, Kamwenge TC and Ruteete. Secondary data was collected from internet and research centres. The monetary value for the different water catchment benefits that accrue to the people was calculated using the CVM by summing the direct use value with the indirect use value. It was found out that most individuals use the water catchments either for grazing or crop growing consequently, the estimated total economic value of the ecosystem services was US$9664400. The increased engagement in water catchment utilisation puts the future existence of -the wetland and shallow wells along River Dura at risk. A policy to harmonise conservation and livelihood improvement be developed for the area to enable people continuously receive services from the water catchments.