PROJECT PREntn DAVID
- 1. AN ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL OF ONGAYO-GEMBE HILLS ECOSYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN SUBA SUB-COUNTY NAME:DAVID ADINDA ADM:DWM/300/014/024 SUPERVISOR:MR.ASHER ODHIAMBO Date: 10/03/2016
- 2. JUSTIFICATION The researcher anticipated the study to be a vital one and sought to find the reality on this region’s potentials for establishment of wildlife sanctuary. Significance of the study The findings of this study provide a basis for protected area managers and decision- makers to formulate or modify existing conservation strategies for the PAs.
- 3. Research questions • What were the biodiversity resources found in Ongayo-Gembe hills ecosystem in Suba Sub County? • How would the establishment of wildlife sanctuary as a land use impact on people, development and other activities in Ongayo-Gembe area in Suba Sub- County? • What were the local communities’ attitudes and perception towards wildlife conservation in Ongayo- Gembe ecosystem in Suba Sub County?
- 4. Research Objectives • To document the biodiversity resources found in Ongayo-Gembe ecosystem in Suba sub-County. • To examine the possible impacts of establishment of wildlife sanctuary on people, development and other activities in Ongayo-Gembe ecosystem in Suba Sub County. • To examine the local communities’ attitudes and perceptions towards wildlife sanctuary establishment in Ongayo-Gembe hills ecosystem in Suba Sub County.
- 5. Scope of the study This research study was carried covered Ong’ayo and Nyandiwa villages of the central division of Suba Sub County in Homa Bay County of the larger Nyanza province. Research Methodology Design- This study adopted both survey and naturalistic observation design. Unobtrusive observation was employed to evaluate wildlife resource
- 6. Study population The study populations encompassed the local communities in Kaksingiri East location of the central division, Suba sub county. Sample size A sum of 40 questionnaire were distribute in the two villages depending on their population densities as follows: Ong’ayo = (3893÷9787x40) =16, Nyandiwa= (5894÷9787x40) = 24
- 7. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE For biodiversity resources inventory, the area was divided into 10 blocks of 100x100m from the boundary of Gembe hills. In each block, four transects of 100m2 running from one end of each other were established to sample birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
- 8. DATAANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION • Data collected were analyzed using Microsoft Excel for frequency and percentages. The findings are presented in graphs and frequency tables. Research limitations Competing daily chores among respondents especially in farms made it very difficult to find them at home. Un-predictable weather conditions made it hard to do data collection during some days of the research period.
- 9. From the result above, Males (63.3%) Females (36.7%). On Age factor the respondents between31-40 (30%),41-50 (26.7%),21-30 (23.3%),18-20(13.3%) and lastly 50< (6.7%).
- 12. The above figure shows the biodiversity resource in Ongayo- Gembe hills in terms of habitat types with forest at 48%, ecotones 15%,Grassland 14%, shrub and bush land at 10% each while wetland is 3%
- 13. The figure above illustrates some of the possible outcomes that the respondents associate with the establishment of the wildlife sanctuary in the Ongayo-Gembe hills ecosystem.
- 14. Local communities’ attitudes and perceptions towards wildlife sanctuary establishment in Ongayo- Gembe hills ecosystem in Suba sub county.
- 15. DISCUSION Biodiversity Resources found in Ongayo-Gembe hills ecosystem The wide range of habitats that stretch across this ecosystem has made it possible for great diversity of animals which includes an abundance of birdlife, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and even insect as each taxa finds at least a home that suits its daily living conditions. Possible Impacts of establishment of a wildlife sanctuary in the Ongayo-Gembe hills area. The study found out that employment opportunities , infrastructural development , Social amenities development, Abolition of agriculture are some of the possible impacts that may arise from the establishment of the wildlife sanctuary
- 16. Local communities’ attitudes and perceptions towards wildlife sanctuary establishment in Ongayo-Gembe hills ecosystem Study found that possible denied access to important livelihood source since protected areas in developing countries are often viewed as a source of income from timber, oil, mineral exploitation, or tourism by the government (Putz, 1988) . Lack of involvement of the community members Possible HWC, culture erosion from tourist activities were some perceptions of the respondents.
- 17. CONCLUSION The study found out that Ongayo-Gembe hills ecosystem has a very high potential for wildlife conservation basing on the abundance of indigenous habitats with indigenous plant and animal life RECOMMENDATION I recommend the county government of Homa bay to take an initiative of facilitating such projects as a way of enhancing community development while improving its tax base and revenue generation. I recommend other researchers to conduct their studies in the same area so as to determine some other crucial components of this ecosystem that might not have been touch during this study.
- 18. END OF PRESENTATION THANK YOU