Participatory Forest Management’s Influence on Resource Use Conflict Resolution in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve in Siaya County, Kenya
Abstract/ Overview
Forest resources play a significant role in supporting livelihoods of people and biodiversity all over the world leading to their over exploitation. This over exploitation leads to depletion and conflicts over the resource utilization. The neighbouring communities generally benefit from the forests and at the same time are affected by policies and regulations from the government in terms of the resource utilization and access. Consequently, many governments have introduced decentralization of forest management to resolve conflicts on forest resource utilization. The study sought to determine the Participatory Forest Management’s Influence on Resource Use Conflict Resolution in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve in Siaya County, Kenya. The study objectives were to: evaluate the level of community participation in decision-making in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve as a strategy for resource use conflict resolution, establish the benefits shared by the community from participatory forest management in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve and assess the community perception on conflict resolution strategies adopted for resource use in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve. The study was based on the managerial citizen involvement model. A cross- sectional research design was used. A sample size of 274 households was selected from target population of 950 households in the study area. The study used systematic, purposive and snowballing techniques in selection of respondents. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Secondary data was collected from published and non-published literature. Chi-square and Cost-Benefit Analysis were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study showed that the community was slightly involved (mean of 2.06) in decision-making of participatory forest management’s influence on resource use conflict resolution in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve. The study further recorded a Pearson Chi-Square value of 2.711 at a p-value of 0.854 indicating that there was no statistically significant association between level of involvement and conflict resolution for resource utilization. A cost-benefit of 66.67% was obtained thus showing existence of remarkable benefits. The study further established that the benefits shared by the community from participatory forest management as a strategy for forest resource use conflict resolution in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve included clay for making jikos (mean of 4.12), grazing land (mean of 4.09), water (mean of 4.07), firewood (mean of 3.93), worship area (mean of 3.88), timber as a building material (mean of 3.57) and herbal plants (mean of 3.53). The study concluded that the community perception on the conflict resolution strategies adopted for resource use in Got Ramogi Forest Reserve included use of negotiations that have been effective in managing livelihood- related wrangles on forest resource (mean of 3.68), adoption of collaborative conflict resolution has helped in solving settlement wrangles around the forest (mean of 4.01), protests have been effective in expressing dissatisfaction with general management of the forest resource (mean of 3.68), dialogue and sensitization strategies have been effective in averting ownership wrangles of the forest land (mean of 3.64), arbitration strategies have helped in solving conflicts related to resource use within the forest (mean of 3.58) and clear demarcation of forest land has been effective in managing wrangles related to commercial exploitation of the forest (mean of 3.52). The study advises activating participatory forest management programs by both National and County governments. It proposes a Kenya Forest Service and Community partnership at Got Ramogi Forest Reserve for sustainable resource utilization. Additionally, increased government funding is recommended for digital demarcation, stakeholder mobilization and conservation training in Forest Reserves.