Socio-Economic Impacts of Karura Forest on Livelihoods of the Residents of Huruma Informal Settlement, Nairobi County |Book Publisher International

 

Assessing the socio-economic impacts of the Karura forest is an important aspect of measuring the benefits of the forest towards improving the livelihood of the inhabitants of Huruma informal settlement, which is among the several informal settlements bordering Karura forest. By "informal settlement," the study refers to the unplanned establishment of human dwellings. Huruma settlement has a population of 3000 people, most of whom depend on the resources from the forest for their livelihood. Therefore, this study assessed the socio-economic impacts of Karura forest on the livelihoods of residents living in the adjacent Huruma informal settlement in Nairobi City County. Specifically, the study sought to: evaluate the economic value of Karura forest to the residents of Huruma settlement; examine how the forest’s management system contributes to social behaviour change among community members of Huruma settlement; investigate the effect of participatory forest management (PFM) initiatives in enhancing Huruma community forest stewardship, and examine the role of forest ecosystem services in improving the well-being of residents of Huruma settlement. The study employed a survey research design, targeting multiple stakeholders living in or interacting with Karura forest, comprising residents of Huruma informal settlement, members of the Karura Community Forest Association (CFA), members of the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) secretariat, and staff and management of Karura forest. The determination of the sample size was conducted using the formula proposed by Nassiuma (2001). Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Data was gathered from the participants using the questionnaire, interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) guide. Data was analysed using both quantitative methods for questionnaire data and qualitative methods for data gathered using the interview schedule and FGD data. Quantitative methods involved both descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, and means, and inferential statistics, such as Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Qualitative analysis was done using thematic content analysis. Quantitative analysis was supported by SPSS version 25.0 computer software, while qualitative analysis was supported by NVivo 14.0 software. The findings affirmed that enhancing the economic value of the forest significantly boosts community well-being. Over 65% of respondents strongly agreed that forest-related activities such as eco-tourism contribute to the local economy, illustrating the forest's pivotal role in both income generation and environmental sustainability. The findings further affirm that Karura forest management has significantly influenced social behaviour change among Huruma residents through crime reduction, increased discipline, and enhanced environmental awareness. A significant proportion of respondents (55.1%) strongly agreed that the management efforts have promoted environmental awareness among Huruma residents. The study also revealed that participatory forest management significantly enhances community forest stewardship and contributes meaningfully to the well-being of residents in Huruma informal settlement. Finally, the findings demonstrated that Karura forest plays a critical role in enhancing the well-being of Huruma residents through its ecological, social, and economic services. The study, therefore, recommends that the Karura forest management authorities and policymakers should prioritise inclusive labour practices, expand income-generating programs, and institutionalise meaningful community participation in decision-making.  It is also recommended that Karura forest management adopt a participatory governance model that includes structured community engagement, equitable labour practices, and co-implementation of social programs. Further, inclusive governance should be reinforced through rotational leadership, youth representation, and strengthened oversight.  Lastly, it is recommended that Karura forest management and relevant stakeholders implement inclusive policies that improve access to ecosystem services for Huruma residents.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Kivondo Vashit Mwikali
School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Kenyatta University, Kenya.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-47485-97-8

 

Assessing the Socioeconomic Impact of Gas Extraction Operations on Local Livelihoods in Tanzania | Chapter 8 | Business, Management and Economics: Research Progress Vol. 4

 

This study underscores the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes regarding gas extraction operations and the equitable distribution of benefits among stakeholders. Communities in rural Tanzania that depend on farming and fishing for their livelihoods are particularly vulnerable to extractive investment ventures. Diversifying a community's sources of income beyond farming and fishing can help it effectively manage the negative effects of extractive investment operations. The lives of communities are predicted to alter and diversify because of gas extraction operations (GEOs).  Tanzania has new GEOs; thus, it is necessary to investigate how they have diversified their livelihoods in the Mtwara Rural District. This study addresses the association between GEOs and diversifying livelihoods. This study explores (i) livelihood diversification before and during GEOs, (ii) the associations between GEOs and villagers’ livelihood diversification, and (iii) communities’ perspectives on GEOs and livelihood diversification. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to obtain 260 participants. A questionnaire-based survey, four (4) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and fifteen (15) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were used to collect the data. IBM-SPSS version 25 was used to analyse quantitative data. The Chi-square test was employed to analyse livelihood diversification in relation to GEOs. Content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Near and distant communities saw a farming decline of 81.5% and 83.5%, respectively. Additionally, fishing declined by 85.2% and 83.7%, respectively. On the other hand, GEOs enhanced motorbike transport by 160.0% and 300.0%, food vending by 166.7% and 236.4%, and seashell collection by 816.0% and 462.5%, respectively. GEOs diversified farming (p = 0.001), fishing (p = 0.008), agricultural labour wages (p = 0.000), and crop business (p = 0.036) with moderate strength of association. In Mtwara Rural District of Tanzania, the study explored that the availability of gas did not encourage the development of manufacturing and processing firms in the research area, forcing neighbourhood households to diversify their income sources. The GEOs have diversified livelihoods in the study area. This study demonstrates that communities surrounding GEOs are highly socioeconomically vulnerable due to GEOs, which caused declining agricultural and fish catches, thus negatively affecting their livelihoods. To raise wages and improve living conditions, long-term initiatives are advised, including the establishment of varied agro-based businesses for the purpose of creating jobs, training for jobs that generate revenue, and agribusiness and technical training. In order to promote livelihood resilience, public and private entities should jointly launch a focused, context-specific project to diversify household incomes among close and far-flung households.

 

Author(s) Details

 

Beston Musa Musoma

Department of Development Finance and Management Studies, Institute of Rural Development Planning, P.O. Box 138, Dodoma, Tanzania.

Suzana Samson Nyanda

Department of Policy Planning and Management, College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3035, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Mikidadi Idd Muhanga

Department of Development and Strategic Studies, College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3035, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Fatihiya Ally Massawe

Institute of Judicial Administration, Lushoto, P.O. Box 20, Lushoto, Tanzania.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/bmerp/v4/3765G

 

Building Climate Adaptation Pathways: Community Tools and Planning in Yala Wetlands, Kenya | Chapter 1 | Geography, Earth Science and Environment: Research Highlights Vol. 3

Yala Wetlands is a critical ecosystem that filters water from the Nzoia and Yala Rivers into Lake Victoria and supports local communities which rely on artisanal fishing and small-scale agriculture. However, the wetland is increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change. This study applied the Community Climate Change Adaptation Assessment (C3A2) approach, using eight participatory tools including climate risk mapping, vulnerability assessments, and stakeholder analysis, to identify resilient community-level adaptation strategies for climate adaptation planning. Two tools were applied at the Siaya County level, while all eight were utilized at the community level. Data were collected from eighty respondents through interviews and focus group discussions, with analysis conducted at multiple stages. The study revealed that drought and floods were the most significant climate risks, disproportionately affecting vulnerable households. Agroforestry was identified as an effective strategy for mitigating drought and flood impacts, while ecotourism emerged as a viable solution for addressing human-wildlife conflict. The development of three Community-Based Adaptation Action Plans (CBAPs) led to the initiation of community-led projects, such as water harvesting and an agroforestry demonstration farm. The findings underscore the effectiveness of the C3A2 approach in creating locally accepted, resilient adaptation plans although site-specific adjustments are necessary for its broader application. The outcomes of the study have important implications for policy and practice, particularly in integrating community-driven strategies into broader climate adaptation frameworks. They also provide a foundation for future research in enhancing community resilience to climate change.

 

Author (s) Details

Leonard Akwany
Ecofinder Kenya, P.O. Box 179-40100, Kisumu, Kenya.

 

Roniance Adhiambo
Ecofinder Kenya, P.O. Box 179-40100, Kisumu, Kenya.

 

Maurice O. Ogoma

Ecofinder Kenya, P.O. Box 179-40100, Kisumu, Kenya and Department of Natural Resources, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, Kenya.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/geserh/v3/2389