October 2008
The “Eye†of Africa: A Vision of Lake Victoria Basin as an Environmental Observatory
October 2008
Livelihood diversification and implications on poverty and environment in the Lake Victoria Basin
This paper on livelihood diversification is based on an ongoing study under VicRes programme being undertaken in the Lake Victoria Basin, in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. We examine how changing socio-economic and environmental conditions contribute to livelihood diversification, land-use changes, poverty reduction strategies and environmental conservation in the Lake Victoria Basin. The study was undertaken...
October 2008
Consumption, indigeneous knowledge and cultural values of the lakefly species within the Lake Victoria region
Of the edible insects, lakeflies (Chaoborus and Chironomus sp) are least documented as items of human consumption. They are eaten by the Luo communities living within the Lake Victoria basin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of lake flies as a source of food and its role in cultural practices. Edible Diptera species were identified, indigenous knowledge...
October 2008
Integrating wildlife in natural resources management for tourism and community livelihoods in Lake Victoria basin: East Africa
As human settlement continues to expand to the edges of protected areas, administrators and politicians are now questioning the value of protected areas vis-à-vis human settlement. This demands for integrated planning and management of wildlife and other natural resources therein, to ensure that they sustain tourism and community livelihoods. Improving rural livelihoods through integrating wildlife...
October 2008
Comparative analysis of production practices and utilization of pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima) by smallholder farmers in the Lake Victoria Basin, East Africa
Study was carried out in 2007 in four districts of Lake Victoria Basin: Busia, Gucha, Tarime and Jinja. Rapid participatory appraisal approaches were used to assess the socio-economic, cultural, gender and environmental aspects related to cultivation, storage and utilization of pumpkins by the native communities living in the four selected districts. It was observed that majority of the farmers in the Lake...
October 2008
Socioeconomic constraints to sustainable cocoyam production in the Lake Victoria Crescent
Cocoyam production has the potential of significantly improving the food security status and income levels of farmers in the Lake Victoria region. The study covered various areas of the three East African states, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania as follows: Kisumu, Kakamega and Siaya districts in Kenya; Bukoba in Tanzania; and Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala in Uganda. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data...
October 2008
Effects of land use practices on livelihoods in the transboundary sub-catchments of the Lake Victoria Basin
The Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is experiencing changes in land use due to both anthropogenic and natural drivers which are critical to the sustainability of the resources and livelihoods of the communities. Indeed the resultant land use practices and decisions made by the communities on the use of the land rely on the changes in the basin. This paper presents an analysis of the land use practices in the Lake...
October 2008
Recycling of wastes as a strategy for environmental conservation in the Lake Victoria Basin: The case of women groups in Kisumu, Kenya
This paper examines the roles, opportunities and challenges that women groups in Kisumu City face as they recycle polythene papers and water hyacinth plant materials to make various saleable products such as bags, mats and baskets. The study objectives were: To analyze the roles of women groups in environmental conservation; To examine the opportunities that the women groups had in the recycling of polythene...
October 2008
Sustainable wetland resource utilization of Sango Bay through Eco-tourism development
Defining and achieving sustainable development is a major issue for policy debates both in the developed and developing countries. Eco-tourism as an important niche market in the world tourism industry has been embraced by developing countries like Uganda, which are trying to use tourism as an engine of national development. It embraces environmental conservation, maintenance of biodiversity, a satisfying...
October 2008
Does African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) affect rice in integrated rice-fish culture in Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya?
An experiment was conducted for 98 days in the Lake Victoria Basin to investigate the interactions of fish and rice growth performance in rice paddies. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, with rice cultivar as the main plot and method of rice-fish culture as the sub-plot. Treatments consisted of two levels of rice-fish culture and three cultivars of rice. Rice cultivars used were; ITA,...
October 2008
Indigenous knowledge of field insect pests and their management around lake Victoria basin in Uganda
Food security and poverty alleviation has remained the primary agenda in the Eastern Africa regional food policies, and Uganda is no exception. Field pests that attack crops are among the greatest threat to increased food production. The subsistence farmers in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) rarely use synthetic pesticides in the field due to the high cost and availability issues. Therefore, some rely on the...
October 2008
Environmental lead pollution and contamination in food around Lake Victoria, Kisumu, Kenya
Exposure to lead (Pb) through food, water, or contaminated air has adverse health impacts that are particularly severe in children. Many countries have outlawed the use of leaded petrol, and enacted policies and regulations limiting lead pollution, and lead levels in foods. However, African countries, including Kenya, have generally been slow in adopting policies and regulatory structures concerning...
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