The role of local ecological knowledge in the sustainable use of wetland resources and poverty reduction: the case study of Kagera river Wetland, Misenyi district - Kagera region, Tanzania
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Date
2010
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Publisher
Unversity of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Wetlands of the Lake Victoria Basin are currently facing management challenges due to continuing pressure exerted by local communities through exploitation of wetland resources for their livelihoods. Thus studies are required to furnish empirical data necessary for the better management of the ecosystems in question. Therefore, this study aimed at ascertaining and documenting the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of the communities surrounding the Kagera riverine wetland in Misenyi district which is applied in the utilization of the riverine resources; and assess how locally derived solutions of socio-economic problems have been realized while using these resources. Four villages namely Nyabihanga, Gabulanga, Bulifaniand Mushasha were selected for the study. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used. The questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were adopted for gleaning qualitative information whereas the riverine vegetation survey was carried out for collection of quantitative data on plant species diversity. The results showed that LEK practices applied in utilization of riverine resources make ecological sense in Kagerariver wetland ecosystem management. But increasingly socio-economic and environmental changes have led to a change in LEK practices and, thus, increased the risk of exhausting Kagera riverine wetland resources. The study concludes that Kagerariverine wetland management authorities should promote LEK practices and empower local communities to cope with increased demands for the resources and environmental changes. The authorities should increase their level of understanding of LEK for developing site-specific plans of conserving the Kagera riverine wetland ecosystem.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QH541.5.M3T34M864)
Keywords
Wetland ecology, Local knowledge, Poverty reduction, Kagera river wetland, Misenyi district, Tanzania
Citation
Mwijage, A. P. (2010) The role of local ecological knowledge in the sustainable use of wetland resources and poverty reduction: the case study of Kagera river Wetland, Misenyi district - Kagera region, Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam