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

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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.

DATA ANALYSIS 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.

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%).

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%

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.

Local communities’ attitudes and perceptions

towards wildlife sanctuary establishment in Ongayo-

Gembe hills ecosystem in Suba sub county.

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

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.

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.

END OF PRESENTATION

THANK YOU