Greed or Grievance? Linking Revenue Sharing Implementation to Unauthorised Resource Use and Conservation Support at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Revenue sharing, intended to foster community support for conservation by improving livelihoods and reducing unauthorized resource use, largely fails to achieve its objectives at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A study involving 715 respondents—including local community members, conservation staff, and council leaders—revealed that revenue-sharing benefits predominantly reached random households rather than unauthorized resource users, such as poachers or those collecting bush meat, firewood, basketry materials, or medicinal plants. Projects funded were primarily focused on livelihoods (e.g., livestock, poultry) rather than common good initiatives. The findings suggest that greater involvement of poachers in revenue-sharing activities and a multifaceted approach—addressing economic, social, and systemic drivers—are critical to curbing unauthorized resource use and enhancing conservation support.

Twinamatsiko, M., Bugabo, S. G., & Kagoro-Rugunda, G. (2024). Greed or Grievance? Linking Revenue Sharing Implementation to Unauthorised Resource Use and Conservation Support at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. International Journal of Advanced Research, 7(1), 166–182. https://doi.org/10.37284/ijar.7.1.2084