Plantation forestry and it’s implications for wood supply in Kiryandongo district.

Abstract

The study was about plantation forestry and implications for wood supply in Kiryandongo District, Uganda. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to evaluate the household wood energy consumption in Kiryandongo District, evaluate the spatial distribution of the plantation forests in the study area from 2015-2023 and determine the sustainability using time series, of wood energy supplies to the households of Kiryandongo District. Using the Descriptive and Case study research designs, the researcher obtained data from 240 respondents using the questionnaire, interviews and documentary analysis. The study revealed that there was widespread use of fuel wood, with the auxiliary sources being charcoal in both rural and peri-urban households. Other than charcoal and other sources of energy for their cooking and lighting activities, woodwasthe most popular source of energy because all households reliedon it, and less on other fuel sources like paraffin, charcoal, gas and so on which were more or less complimentary. This over reliance on biomass not only threatened forest resources but also accentuated environmental degradation, prompting a nationwide discussion on sustainable energy alternatives. There has been gradual increase in forest cover, later on having many of the woodlots being established due to the forest policies in place. The size of the plantation forests is increasing and the increase has been significant with 238.03% due to ongoing afforestation activities, which have accelerated forest establishment. The study recommends that for the better management of forestry resources, there was a need to create awareness among the people about the values of planting and conserving forests. This is because of the need to regenerate the environment for a better and sustainable future, while ensuring that the available forest resources serve the purpose of the woodlot owners and the community environmental needs. There should be promotion of forest regeneration activities such as re-afforestation and afforestation in order to restore the harvested tree cover/canopy. This will expand on the existing forest cover and relieve pressure on the forest, while enabling the farmers to have trees for harvesting and sale (in order to boost per capita income). The private forest and landowners should be given incentives to maintain the state of the current forest cover on their land, and as well plant more woodlots in order to extend the vegetation cover and improve the environment. In addition, the government should support forest conservation by facilitating the restoration of degraded Central Forest tReserves.