Social-demographic survey of the encroached area of the proposed Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in South Western Uganda.
GORILLA CONSERVATION NEWS, AUGUST 1991, pp. 28-29.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in Kabale District (Kisoro sub-district), south western Uganda. Presently, it is both a Forest Reserve (24 km2) and Gorilla Game Reserve (47.5 km2) managed by Forest Department and Game Department. The area is bounded by international borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Zaire on its eastern, southern and western sides, respectively. The uganda Government is considering reclassification of this area as a National Park. Over the past 30 years, 23 km of the Gorilla Game Reserve have been under encroachment. In the past, the presently encroached zone was a suitable habitat for gorillas, and had resident groups totalling at least 39 animals. Socio-demographic data are necessary to assist in determining the boundaries of the proposed Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the potential costs for assisting, where appropriate, the relocation of the encroachers presently in the area. The objectives of this study were to assess the number of people living and cultivating in the area: determining the kind and numbers of physical facilities owned by these people: and identify agriculture and conservation activities most needed by the people in the area.
This survey was conducted during June and July, 1990. The area surveyed was covered in three zones (1, 2, and 3) as illustrated in the attached map (figure 1) .No encroachment was found in zone 1. There are 272 households in zone 2, and 680 cultivators not residents but utilising the area. A population of approximately 1,773 people live in zone 2, with a mean family size of 6 people. A population of about 4,020 non-resident persons from 6 different parishes and two towns (Kisoro Town and Kabale Town) is partially supported by this zone. Households are more or less evenly distributed in the western part of zone 2 (65% of the zone). There are 113 residential houses, 3 kitchens, 2 bars, 4 stores and 1 church, all iron roofed. An average of 29 +/-7 10-foot long low quality gauge (gauge 42) Rwanda iron sheets were used on each of these buildings. There are 1,531 grass thatched structures. These include residential buildings, animal buildings, kitchens, granaries, stores, bars and latrines. Livestock kept by residents of zone 2 include 100 heads of cattle, 427 goats, 287 sheep and 321 chicken. It was not possible to survey, zone 3 as the people living there would not cooperate with the survey team. Residents and non-residents of zone 2 are largely small scale farmers. Only 5% of the residents and 2% of the non-residents have alternative employment. Water, wood and bamboo are in short supply. Fourteen streams in zone 1 and 2 were dry during June and July when this survey was carried out. Average distances travelled for water in the wet and dry seasons are 0.3 km and 1.2 km respectively, with a maximum of 4 km.
Livestock, people and crops are killed and destroyed through flashflooding and landslides. Firewood is the only source of fuel and 98% of the population obtain it by collecting.
Eight square kilometres of land (8 km2) was issued by Forest Department to the surrounding population in 1950, while the same area remained part of the Gorilla Sanctuary (33.7 km2). In 1964, the Gorilla Sanctuary was upgraded to a Game Reserve (47.5 km2).
Encroachment of zone 2 and 3 is responsible for the disappearance of at least 4 groups of gorillas from zone 2 and their part-time utilization of zone 1. It must have also led to the disappearance of the yellow-backed duiker, water shortages, floods and reduced wood supplies. Agricultural and conservation activities most needed include simple terracing, mulching, tree planting (agroforestry), fertilization, conservation education and family planning.
SAMSON E. WERIKHE.
Co-Director and Park Warden,
KABALE.