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Natural Resource Use Strategies in a Forest-Adjacent Ugandan Village

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Abstract

This study documents natural resource use in a forest-adjacent western Ugandan village, and explains how what superficially appears to be a sustainable scenario is in fact quite unstable. Kibwona village is adjacent to Kasokwa Forest, comprised of a small Central Reserve owned by the National Forest Authority (NFA) and several contiguous community forests. Firewood and water collection is legal. However, empirical observations of women’s daily activity budgets and details of resource acquisition show on average, women spent less than 5% of the time collecting natural resources. This is true for resources both in and out of the forest. This may be simply because firewood within household compounds, gardens and woodland–bush areas is abundant, accessible, and closer than the (also close) forest. However, two additional reasons for this behavior may, in fact, hinder long-term sustainability: (1) Many locals also plant eucalyptus trees for firewood, poles, and timber, which, although it is fast growing and makes good firewood, is water-draining and hard on the soils and thus a high cost to subsistence farmers. (2) Fears of harassment by NFA officials when collecting firewood inhibit local people from even entering the forest. Decentralized, collaborative forest management will not happen under oppressive and fear-based relationships, nor can a sustainable firewood supply be based on eucalyptus.

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Notes

  1. Although we brought binoculars and a bird book so as not to appear to be solely watching the woman’s activities, our presence undoubtedly had some affect on her chosen activities. In terms of resource use and collection, however, daily activities can not be avoided as there are families to feed and household compounds to be tended.

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Acknowledgements

As always, thank you to Joseph Karamagi, trusted field assistant and friend. My gratitude to Bobbi Low, Arun Agrawal, Howard Stein, Rebecca Hardin, the Bobbi Lab group, and two anonymous reviewers for useful comments throughout the writing of this paper. This research was funded in part by the Rackham Graduate School, the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.

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  1. School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Dana Building, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1041, USA

    Cristy A. Watkins

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Correspondence to Cristy A. Watkins.

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Watkins, C.A. Natural Resource Use Strategies in a Forest-Adjacent Ugandan Village. Hum Ecol 37, 723–731 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-009-9268-8

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