Sustainable Management of Wetland Resources: a Case Study of Kabula Location, Bungoma District

Abstract

Wetlands serve multi purpose functions that have physical, ecological as well as Socioeconomic values. However, these values are threatened by the increasing human activities such as livestock rearing, settlement, urbanization, industrialization and deforestation. Small scale wetlands owned by individuals have been given little attention in studies and in the policy framework. However, these wetlands face greater threats of extinction. This prompted this study in Kabula Location of Bung om a District. The objectives of the study were: to establish the functions of the wetlands in Kabula Location; appraise the values the community attach on wetlands; analyze the issues arising from utilization and management of the wetlands in Kabula Location, and to propose strategies for their sustainable management. Primary and secondary methods Of data collection were used during the study. These included literature review, interviews, administering questionnaires, observation, photography, survey and mapping. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques were used. These included the Chi-square, Spearman's rank correlation, Spearman's product moment correlation, means, variance, totals and discussions. The analysis revealed that the community in Kabula Location relies on wetlands for basic needs such as water, fuelwood and building materials. Wetlands also serve economic puposes such as sugar cane farming, maize "farming and livestock grazing. Growth of Eucalyptus trees also takes a good part of the wetland acreage. The economic uses are the greatest threats to wetlands. The other use is socio-cultural activities such as circumcision ceremonies, recreation, collection of herbs, vegetables and materials, bathing and washing are friendlier to the wetland ecology. The community values wetlands as their own resources . The study has proposed strategies that promote uses reinforcing economic and socio-cultural functions of the wetlands and which could enhance of their conservation. It is through the integration of utility of wetlands and conservation objectives that their sustainability can be achieved