The Search for Sustainability Amid Displacement
Exploring the Potential of Fast-growing Exotic Tree Species as Fuelwood Alternative for Refugees and Host Communities in Northern Uganda
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21641466 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Decimon Anywar (Gulu University), Kato Stonewall Shaban (Gulu University), Richard Louis Labeja (Gulu University), Robert Okongo Loki (Gulu University), Geoffrey Akiiki Beyihayo (0000-0002-6676-9723, Gulu University), Collins Okello (0000-0001-9165-0989, Gulu University, corresponding author), James Haselip (0000-0002-4614-3838, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, Denmark) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 268-285 |
| Publication date | 2024-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Journal of Environment & Development (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1070-4965 • E-ISSN: 1552-5465 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/10704965231222196 |
| OpenAlex | W4390095094 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 24 |
Uganda hosts Africa’s largest refugee population, exceeding 1.5 million in early 2023. While commended for its progressive refugee policies, which grant freedom of movement and work opportunities, the influx of displaced people since 2015 has strained shared environmental resources, including slow-growing indigenous trees utilized for construction and fuel. Efforts to preserve indigenous biodiversity have promoted the growth and use of faster-growing exotic tree species. However, local communities often favor indigenous trees as fuel sources, despite limited evidence supporting their superiority. This study assessed fuel properties of selected indigenous and exotic tree species in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda. Laboratory analysis of wood samples revealed no significant differences in moisture content, fixed carbon, volatile matter, or Fuel Value Index (FVI) among the species. The study therefore recommends promoting fast-growing exotic species like Eucalyptus grandis, Caliandra calothyrsus, and Senna siamea, urging international agencies, NGOs, and community-led organizations to leverage the findings for behavior change campaigns. This approach would facilitate species regeneration, alleviate pressure on natural forests, and supplement Uganda’s investment strategy in Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) such as LPG and solar e-cooking technologies
Agroforestry · Biodiversity · Biology · Economics · Eucalyptus · Geography · Indigenous · Natural resource economics · Population · Sustainability · African Botany and Ecology Studies · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Energy and Environment Impacts · Ecology
| Highly cited | No |
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