ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS FROM EUCALYPTUS WOODLOTS: THE CASE OF MUKONO DISTRICT IN UGANDA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The concept of entitlement has been used to show how different social actors access and negotiate for goods and services from natural resources. Although Eucalyptus tree species are perceived to generate adverse environmental impacts, they make an invaluable contribution to rural people's livelihoods. This study examined the socio-economic importance of Eucalyptus woodlots in Mukono district, Uganda, using the entitlements framework. Data were collected employing a questionnaire survey of randomly selected households. PRA tools were also used to supplement questionnaire data. The results indicate that Eucalyptus woodlots provided both environmental and exchange entitlements to the local people. The environmental entitlements included firewood, medicinal collections, plant foods, fodder for livestock and Eucalyptus seeds. The exchange entitlements were paid labour for land preparation, planting, tending and harvesting of trees, and trading in Eucalyptus seeds, firewood and poles. Although the woodlots are private property, they provide local people with various forms of exchange and environmental entitlements that enhance livelihoods. The policy implication is that increased private forest farming can provide both social and environmental goods, improve rural livelihoods and thus help to reduce pressure on the natural forests.