This sub-project focuses on improved conservation practices, environmental restoration and natural resource governance which are central in stimulating sustainable demographic dividends in SWU. Currently, there are poor conservation practices that have accelerated the rate of environmental hazards, loss of lives and property, and food shortages. There is evidence of degradation of major rivers of Nyamwamba, Lhubiriha, Nyamugasani, Rwizi, Ruhezamyenda and their catchments thus compromising local livelihoods. There is an immediate need for restoration and redress of governance shortfalls (Twinamatsiko et al., 2015).
The indigenous people like the Batwa who are the primary stakeholders of Protected Areas (PAs) continue to be left out due to historical injustices, with limited livelihood options. The highlighted issues relate with the overall programme needs of integrating best practices into conservation and management of natural resources. Much as the university staff have done research in this area, the outputs remain faculty and individual-based with minimal multidisciplinary, participatory and institutional approaches. Some interventions done previously by MUST and partners need to be operationalised since they were short term.
This Phase 1, the sub-project will focus on River Rwizi and River Ruhezamyenda for the river systems, Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Mburo National Park for the PAs and integration of Batwa and Bahima indigenous knowledge. Failure to address the stated challenges has a multiplier effect on climate change adaptation, affordable energy utilisation, appropriate cash crop production for improved household income and food security. This project addresses National Development Plan (NDP) III objectives 1 and 4, strategies 4, 7, 16 and 18, and programmes 4,5,13 and 16. The project further feeds into SDG 6, 12, 13 and 15(http://envalert/org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NDP-3-Finale.pdf)
