Socio-economic effect of human encroachment on catchment of river Mpaga, fort portal municipality Kabarole district.

Abstract

Good ecological quality is needed to maintain the integrity of river system and depends on the preservation of natural (chemical, biological and physical) conditions of the river and the surrounding environment. Unsustainable use and pollution through various human activities can impair the ecological state of a natural system by altering its chemical composition and the biological communities that naturally occur in it. The study was conducted to support management activities in the Mpanga catchment by providing an overview on the current ecological quality state of streams and rivers within the catchment. Data about the socio economic effects of human encroachment on the catchment was collected within its catchment area. The data was collected from 60 -respondents both men and women, youth and elders The study area includes West division, South division and East division in fort portal municipality. The overall objective was to assess the socio-economic effects of human encroachment on catchment of the river. The study involved the use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data, to analyze and present data. The methods of data collections were interview method, questionnaire and observation. Data analysis was done through comparison analysis to compare independent variables with dependent variables The catchment has several socio-economic activities being undertaken within, by both public and private sectors. It is observed that drawing water is the leading activity carried out along the river for domestic use, irrigation and many others. It is also observed that poverty is the leading cause of activities carried out along the river. It is also observed that riverbank degradation leads to scarcity of freshwater as the leading challenge. Therefore, management measures are needed to be put in place and enforced to reduce the effects of riverbank degradation by regulating the activities carried out along the river.