Deforestation and Its Effects On the Environment A Case Study of Mabira Forest, Mukono District -Uganda

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to make an investigation on the effects of deforestation on the environment with particular reference to Mabira Forest Mukono District Specific objectives of the study were to: Assess the effects of timber cutting on the environment in Mabira Forest Mukono District; establish the effect of giving out land to investors on deforestation in Mabira forest Mukono District The methods used for data collection where observation to see areas with severe deforestation, interviews with the local community. Forest officers and leaders of the community. The findings revealed by 60% of the respondents agreed that timber cutting had Jed to destruction of the environment, $6% strongly agreed that timber cutting hard negatively affected the climate. 41% of the respondents agreed that is Mabira forest land is given to investors for agriculture they would Joss their supply of local medicine, 45% strongly agreed that giving out land to investors has brought about changes in weather and rainfall patterns, 2%% of the respondents agreed To have had knowledge of increased encroachment in forest areas, 41% of the respondents agreed that if Mabira forest land is given to investors for agriculture they would Joss their supply of local medicine, 45% strongly agreed that giving out land to investors has brought about changes in weather and rainfall patterns.

25% of the respondents agreed to have had knowledge of increased encroachment in forest areas, 41% agreed that encroachment on the forest has Jed to loss of biodiversity. The study concluded that deforestation was active in the forest silently with little knowledge. Timber is cut down mainly by illegal cutters, land is given away secretly and slow infiltration of the forest by the locals. The study recommended that government should encourage tree planting, there is a need to revise the 2002 National forest plan, get alternative industry and services to replace dependence on agriculture and teaching communities about biodiversity conservation strategies, providing ''aids" to poor countries.