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.