Causes of human encroachment on Kalulu forest in Kabwe district of Central province, Zambia

Abstract

Forest reserves in Kabwe have undergone changes over the years due to encroachment by humans who are engaged in activities as such agriculture, charcoal production and even settlements. This has led to the deforestation of Kalulu Forest in Kabwe district of Central province. The main objective of this study was to establish causes of human encroachment of Kalulu Forest. The study was conducted through both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Primary and secondary data was collected using in-depth interviews, focused group discussions and questionnaires. The target groups included the forest squatters living in Kalulu forest as well as government forestry officials at both district and provincial levels. The study conducted was based on environmental ethical theories, which included; nature-culture theory, knowledge systems theory as well as the land sharing theory. The study reveals that socio-economic factors were some of the causes of human encroachment of Kalulu Forest. Unemployment, family ties and economic activities such as farming, charcoal production and rearing of domestic animal. Unemployment was caused by privatisation of parastatal companies, which included the mines have undermined people’s livelihoods. The restructuring of the forest department that abolished the position of forest guards made “vacant” protected forest land an attractive option for the people. This left Kalulu Forest unprotected from human encroachment.