The Albertine Rift not only contains exceptional biodiversity but also supports some of the poorest people in the world. Over the past 15 years conservation projects have been working to improve the livelihoods of these people as well as tackling the threats to the protected areas. This dual goal, to alleviate poverty and conserve biodiversity, is a tricky one as often people are using resources from protected areas in an unsustainable manner. If their use of forest resources are reduced by better management then their livelihood security is often worsened. Despite this inherent problem there have been some relatively successful projects in and around the two gorilla parks, Bwindi Impenetrable and the Virunga Volcanoes, that have managed to improve attitudes towards conservation and at the same time helped improve the lives of these people through the provision of schools and clinics and the teaching of improved farming methods.
Despite over 10 years of these integrated conservation and development (ICD) projects there had never been an extensive socioeconomic survey carried out to provide a baseline from which to measure changes in both livelihood security and attitudes and behaviours towards conservation. WCS therefore worked with the International Gorilla Conservation Programme and CARE International to undertake such a survey, sampling households in each parish bordering the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Echuya Forest Reserve, Virunga Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Park. A total of 3,907 households were visited comprising over 22,000 individuals. The sampling process allowed us to map the socioeconomic status and attitudes/behaviours by parish to assess patterns.
Specific attention was given to the Batwa, an ethnic group that have been marginalised in this region. The results showed that this group were much poorer than other groups, often without land, and subsist by gleaning left over food from people’s land or by working as labourers for other people.
The results are extensive and cannot be summarised here (see report link below). Of interest were some of the findings about conservation attitudes and behaviours. Where projects had been working to help local people as well as protect the natural habitat about 45% of people stated that the relations between the park and their community had improved as a result. This was not particularly surprising. However, about 45% stated that there had been a worsening of relations also. Where no such projects had existed most people stated there had been no change in relations. It appears that ICD projects not only can lead to improved attitudes but may lead to increased negative attitudes also. It is difficult to explain why with the existing data we have but it could be that people believe that if they keep complaining they will receive more projects. It is also possible that households that see their neighbour benefiting but not themselves may become jealous and feel they have lost out.
It was interesting that most households now realise that forests are important for climate regulation and rainfall, significantly more households than a similar survey undertaken in part of this study area in Rwanda in 1981 and 1986. Education programmes do appear to have reached people with this message.
The results are summarized in the following report:
Plumptre, A.J., Kayitare, A., Rainer, H., Gray, M., Munanura, I., Barakabuye, N., Asuma, S., Sivha, M., and Namara, A. (2004) The Socio-economic Status of People Living Near Protected Areas in the Central Albertine Rift. Albertine Rift Technical Reports, 4. 127pp.