Park Gazettement and Integrated Conservation and Development as Factors in Community Conflict at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, the loss of commercial income following park gazettement emerged as the primary driver of conflict between local villagers and park authorities. Despite improvements in local attitudes toward the park due to Integrated Conservation and Development (ICD) benefits, prohibitions on commercial activities—rather than subsistence resource use—fueled violent conflicts, particularly when law enforcement targeted these income sources. The study analyzed 48 conflict incidents from 1986 to 2000, categorizing them by period, area, instigator, and type, revealing that targeting ICD benefits toward those affected by commercial restrictions could mitigate conflict and strengthen conservation efforts.

BAKER, J., MILNER‐GULLAND, E. J., & LEADER‐WILLIAMS, N. (2011). Park Gazettement and Integrated Conservation and Development as Factors in Community Conflict at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Conservation Biology, 26(1), 160–170. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2011.01777.x