The Relevance of the Baganda Traditional Conservation Strategies to Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Busimbi Sub-County Mityana District

Abstract

MUTALAMBIRWA JACKSON (2008-MO92-20077) The Relevance of the Baganda Traditional Conservation Strategies to Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Busimbi Sub-County Mityana District This research was concerned with assessing the relevance of Baganda traditional environmental biodiversity conservation strategies in Mityana district using Busimbi sub-county as a case for study. The purpose of the study was to find out the relevance and applicability of Baganda traditional environmental biodiversity conservation strategies in Busimbi sub-county. Specifically the researcher examined the conservation strategies that were adopted by Baganda to promote and sustain environmental biodiversity, the strategies being implemented by Mityana District Environment Department and community leaders to promote environmental biodiversity conservation, the measures being implemented by Mityana District Environment Department and community leaders to promote application of Baganda traditional environmental biodiversity conservation strategies and, the environmental biodiversity conservation strategies of Baganda that need to be promoted in conserving environmental biodiversity in Busimbi sub-county. In addition, the study assessed the challenges facing the District Environment Department and community leaders in embracing Baganda traditional environmental biodiversity conserving methods in Busimbi sub-county. The study sample comprised of Mityana district environment officers, local leaders and elders in Busimbi community. Data collection was facilitated by the use of self-administered questionnaires (SAQs), an observation guide and interview schedules. The results revealed that the measures to enhance conservation of environmental biodiversity in Busimbi sub-county were inadequate. The results suggested that many Baganda environmental biodiversity conservation strategies could still be promoted. The findings also suggested that enforcement of conservation measures was constrained by economic policies and current attitudes of people towards resource utilisation. The conclusions that could be drawn were that Baganda environmental biodiversity conservation practices are still relevant today. However, economic policies, widespread poverty, cultural and external influences are major constraints in the conservation of biodiversity. The study recommended that all stakeholders involved in environment conservation should to do everything possible to control further loss of the environmental biodiversity of the past decades in a sustainable environment Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Buganda, Mityana