CHALLENGES OF MANAGING BINP J. J. Tibesigwa Senior Warden, BINP September 17 th 2013
Jul 09, 2015
CHALLENGES OF MANAGING BINP
J. J. Tibesigwa
Senior Warden, BINP
September 17th 2013
INTRODUCTION
World over, management of protected areas has a multitude of challenges
These range from anthropogenic, ecological, climatic, etc
The challengesHuman-Wildlife
conflict (crop raiding, injury etc)
Lack of buffer zones in many parts of the park
Conservation challengesPoaching: the illegal
killing, hunting of wild animals
Normally targeting antelopes but often non targets fall victims
Illegal resource harvest
Land uses incompatible with conservation
Fires: Either accidental or by careless resource users (honey collectors)
Challenges Prospects of mineral
deposits in and around BINP
High human population around BMCA
High poverty levels with poor social and health services
Lack of safe water for humans in some areas
Legislative inadequacies
Degradation of Sarambwe Nature Reserve (DRC): There is heavy logging of forest as evidenced by trucks of timber which ply the Nteko-Kisoro road daily.
Insecurity in DRC: No longer allows coordinated patrols between BINP & Sarambwe Nature Reserve.
Challenges Some exotics/Alien species still exist in BINP esp in
areas formerly owned by community. These are limiting factors to biodiversity in the park
Uncoordinated Govt and partner programmes around the park; leads to duplication, wastage of resources
Inadequate information as basis for conservation management decision making
Climate change and variability
May result in an alteration of the structure, productivity, function & species composition.
Climate variability is also known to trigger disease outbreaks
Wildlife-Livestock communicable/zoonotic diseases such as scabies, worms, diarrhea
The close interface btn gorillas and livestock/humans facilitates cross transmission of the diseases, thus causing ecosystem conservation challenges
Poor culture of policy implementation
Challenges
Addressing the challenges; the practical approachRegular sensitisation against:
-un extinguished fires around the park
-Illegal activities including poaching
Stakeholder participation in PA management
Increased benefits to the community (RS, GL, resource access etc)
Various interventions against crop raiding: Mauritius hedge
Buffer zone establishment
scare shooting (elephants)
Encouraging and supporting growth of unpalatable crops
Growing and use of chilli
Joint planning to ensure coordination of programmesand better service delivery
Addressing the challenges
Conclusion The challenges facing conservation of BINP are many;
addressing them calls for an integrated, holistic and participatory approaches.
There is need for continuous investigation of phenomena to seek practical remedies to the challenges.