ILLEGAL RESOURCE USE AND RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE FROM KARUMA WILDLIFE RESERVE IN UGANDA

ABSTRACT Provision of land and resettlement of people living illegally in protected areas are important processes in economic empowerment of local communities and conservation of natural resources. This study highlights a prevailing natural resource management problem, that is, illegal settlement and resource use in Karuma Wildlife Reserve. The aim of the study was to assess whether or not voluntary resettlement of encroachers in the reserve could help to reduce illegal use of resources. This was accomplished by carrying out household interviews and visiting the resettlement sites. It was found that provision of land alone for settlement and farming cannot reduce illegal resource use. Local communities need financial support to carry out other alternative economic activities to improve their incomes and reduce dependence on protected resources. It was concluded that people living in abject poverty cannot support conservation of resources without alternative income generating activities. Moreover, local co...