Impacts of Alternative Renewable Sources and Technologies on Forest Conservation at Lumbuji Village in Kilosa District and Imalamakoye Village in Urambo District

Abstract

The study examined the impacts of alternative renewable sources and technologies on forest conservation at Lumbuji Villlage in Kilosa District and Imalamakoye Village in Urambo District. Consequently, for this objective to be fulfilled the study had to examine the land cover change and distribution of land cover change at Lumbuji villlage in Kilosa District and Imalamakoye Village in Urambo District. The research used cross sectional design by involving both qualitative and quantitative information where data were gathered through questionnaire and key informant interviews, observation and FGD from stakeholders participated in the study. The study employed purposive and random sampling techniques to choose 135 respondents from the population. Descriptive analysis and unsupervised classification technique employed for analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in the study. Finally, the study revealed that, perceptions of local community were guided by level of knowledge, accessibility, usefulness and benefits of the AREST. Moreover, despite the existence of alternative renewable energy sources and technologies at the study areas, the extent of adoption of AREST was low because some of the local communities were still using fire wood and charcoal as the source of energy in the household. The study recommends reinforcement of training and education to commuters on potential alternative renewable energy sources and technologies in their respective areas and ensuring the accessibility and affordability by commuters to renewable energy inputs and other additives/agricultural residues with ensuring their quality that suits the climatic situation of the area in generating renewable energy sources and technologies.