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In pursuit of livelihood security around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda - The case of the Batwa minority

In pursuit of livelihood security around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda - The case of the Batwa minority. Róbert Hodosi, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås Conference: AFRICA: 1960–2010–2060 A Century (Re)visited: What Next? Pécs, 27-29 May, 2010. About the project.

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In pursuit of livelihood security around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda - The case of the Batwa minority

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  1. In pursuit of livelihood security around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda - The case of the Batwa minority Róbert Hodosi, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås Conference: AFRICA: 1960–2010–2060 A Century (Re)visited: What Next? Pécs, 27-29 May, 2010

  2. About the project • Papia (Protected Areas and Poverty In Africa) • Cooperation between Makerere University, Uganda and Norwegian University of Life Sciences • Understanding relationship between the protected area and poverty of local communities • Case: the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda and the Batwa people

  3. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park • South-Western part of Uganda, 331km2 • Established as a National Park in 1991 • Rich fauna and flora, important water catchements area, home of the famous mountain gorilla population • Important tourism destination in Uganda • Political ecology narratives on preservation: Win-Win Approach vs. Fortress Approach

  4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  5. The Batwa people • A former hunter-gatherer group • Living in Burundi, Rwanda, DRC, Uganda • The Batwa are the first inhabitants of the area • They were evicted from the territory of the park • Did not get compensation for eviction

  6. The Batwa

  7. Problematisation of the situation • For Batwa: limited resources, high poverty levels, food insecurity, health and educational shortcomings • Dominant ethnicity (Bakiga) is agriculturalist • Limited access to forest products? • Income generating activities from the park? • Collaborative management of the national park

  8. Research questions • Assessment of the asset base and income generating activities? • Constraints on accessing assets and income sources? • How collaborative management can be useful for the local communities? • How could the forest be made more beneficial for local communities? (Environmental income)

  9. Methods • Livelihoods analysis framework was applied • 122 household interviews were conducted in adjacent communities to the park • NGOs and local government officials were interviewed

  10. Findings … • Very little asset base (no land, livestock) • Constrains (1. shocks and trends: drought, crop-raiding animals) (2. institutional: discrimination) • The Batwa and other communities have limited access to the forest – conservation is implemented • No tangible benefits from collaborative management (revenue sharing, multiple use zones) • More information on these instruments

  11. Findings • High diversification aptitude of income generating activities • Environmental income as safety net? • Useful forest: more access to forest products, more information on multiple use zones • Political ecology of conservation: refuting the Win-win approach?

  12. Thank you for the attention! Róbert Hodosi Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Noragric www.umb.no/noragric rhodosi@gmail.com

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