Effects of livelihood activities on conservation of forest plantation :

Abstract

The study was carried out from December 2016 to February 2017 in Barifa Eucalyptus plantation in Arua Municipality. The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of livelihood activities on the conservation of Barifa Eucalyptus plantation. The specific objectives were: to identify livelihood activities being practiced in Barifa Eucalyptus plantation; and to identify the impacts of livelihood activities on the conservation status of Barifa Eucalyptus plantation. The study used a descriptive survey design. It used both. qualitative and quantitative approaches. In total 80 respondents were interviewed. These also included the District Forest Officer; Municipal Environment Officer; West Nile Range Manager, Sector Manager, and Supervisor of National Forest Authority. The other respondents were the local people living around Barifa Eucalyptus Plantation. The data was collected from Ayivu county, Oluko sub county, Arua Hill Division of Arua Municipality, Mvara, ward, and Awindiri ward. The data was collected using questionnaires, direct observation and photographs, interview of key persons, and group interview for those who could not express themselves individually. The data was entered into Microsoft Excel and exported to Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16 for descriptive analysis. The findings showed that much of the Barifa Eucalyptus plantation borders were massively encroached. The people around the plantation were undertaking livelihood activities like cultivation, sand mining, and felling trees for poles, timber and charcoal. The impacts of these livelihood activities were reduction in tree cover and land degradation. It is concluded that Barifa Eucalyptus plantation has reduced in size and its conservation is uncertain. It is recommended that the surrounding communities be sensitized on the benefits from plantations, involved in its collaborative management and replanting of the trees cut. Also, the borders should be demarcated together with the local communities. The authorities be provided with resources for raising planting materials to distribute to communities for replanting and recruitment of more staff.