Parks and people : a livelihood study of the Batwa people around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Abstract

This research investigates the livelihood security situation of a former hunter-gatherer group, the Batwa, that lives around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Approximately two decades after their eviction from their ancestors‟ land due to conservation efforts, the Batwa face multiple challenges, such as limited resources, high poverty levels, food insecurity, health and educational shortcomings. In order to quantify the livelihoods composition, the available basic assets as well as their income generating activities were analysed. The total household income and the access to the activities were measured among 122 Batwa families living in the vicinity of the national park. Moreover, the influence of the park on the livelihoods was taken into account, as the environmental income deriving from the park can feature as a safety net function. In spite of the collaborative management of the park, however, only a limited number of community members can access the park. The households reported that they would need many different forest products, but it is not possible to access them without the resource user permits.