Status of illegal resource extraction within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda: Baseline studies near four hydropower projects

Abstract

AbstractIllegal resource use in protected areas is a problem for park managers. We investigated status and distribution of illegal activities inside Rwenzori Mountains National Park in areas adjacent to four sites where hydropower projects were being developed outside the park. We used in‐park plot, nonplot‐based methods and community surveys and compared findings from these with ranger patrol records of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Seventeen kinds of illegal activities were recorded. Collection of medicinal plants and poaching were the most pervasive forms of illegal activities inside the park. Poaching exhibited significant differences (p = 0.03) across sites, and prevalence of poaching signs increased with distance from park boundary at two sites (p = 0.05). The study revealed higher levels of illegal activities than earlier recorded from ranger patrol data. Sixty‐eight per cent (68%) and 44% of the respondents reported participation in collection of medicinal plants and poaching, respectively. Ninety‐eight per cent (98%) of respondents agreed that the park is an important source for natural resources. Ranger patrols should extend further inside the park rather than near the boundaries as has been the case. The findings set a valuable benchmark for assessing the temporal and spatial variation of illegal resource extraction over the hydropower projects’ duration.