Ranking Resource Utilization Priorities among Local Communities in Kabembe Community Forest Management Area Kawambwa District, Luapula Zambia

This Research investigates and ranks the resource utilization priorities of local communities residing in and around kabembe community forest management area in kawambwa District, Luapula province of Zambia. The study is driven by the increased competion for natural resources and biodiversity lose, which threaten the sustainability of both community livelihood and protected ecosystems. Using a mixed approach method, including structured household surveys, focus group discussion and key informat interviews.

The study aimed to identify the most critical natural resources utilized -such as firewood, medicinal plants water, building materials, and land for cultivation and to rank them based on perceived economic, cultural and subsistence value.

To systematically analyse the priorities the Cochran’s formula for sample size estimation was applied, offering a quantifiable method to capture local preferences and trade-offs. Preliminary studies indicates that forest and park resources form the back bone of rural livelihood in the region, yet unsustainable harvesting is increasingly undermining ecological integrity Twyman (2000) [12]. This study will provide evidence-based recommendations for community based natural resource management (CBNRM) and contribute to Zambia’s National biodiversity strategy and Action plan (NBSAP)and community forestry policy (Forestry Department 2021). The findings are expected to guide local authorities, conservationists, and policy makers in designing inclusive and adaptive strategies that harmonizes livelihood security with biodiversity conservation in kabembe community forest management and surrounding ecosystems.

The results showed that;

(a)    Most utilized Resources. Water (100 %), Agriculture land use (83.3%) and Wood (75 %) are the top utilized resources. This indicates that nearly all household depend on the forest for Domestic water, Farming and energy (firewood)

(b)    Moderately Utilized Resources Poles (58.3 %), mushroom (50.0 %) and Charcoal (33.3 %) show moderate use. These are linked to small scale income activities.

(c)    Timber (12.5 %) and Forestry (15 %) have low utilization rates. This suggests these resources are restricted possibly due to conservation rules or licencing. Out of 120 respondents, the majority rely on resources such water, agriculture land, and wood from kabembe community forest management area. Moderate proportions collect poles mushroom and charcoal for domestic use and income generation, only a few utilize timber and forestry resources. Statistically, this indicates that the community’s livelihood is heavily dependent on forest ecosystem services, particularly for water supply, farming land, and energy sources. Sustainable utilization of these resources is essential to prevent over exploitation and maintain ecological balance.

However, the relationship between There was a significant association between gender and the utilization of firewood and non-timber forest products (p < 0.05). This means that female-headed households are more engaged in collecting and using firewood and NTFPs, whereas male-headed households participate more in timber and charcoal-related activities.

The results further reveal that.

The community relies extensively on forest-based resources for subsistence and income generation.

Firewood remains the primary source of energy, used by over 82% of households.

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as mushrooms, honey, and wild fruits are important for nutrition and small-scale trading.

The collection of medicinal plants reflects the community’s strong traditional knowledge and reliance on natural remedies.

The use of wildlife resources is declining due to regulatory restrictions and depletion.

The most utilized resources were water, firewood, and land, indicating heavy dependence on the forest ecosystem.

The mean utilization score (3.79) shows high overall reliance on natural resources.

Gender significantly influenced the utilization of firewood and non-timber forest products (p < 0.05).

Unsustainable extraction, particularly of firewood and timber, was identified as a potential threat to long-term resource availability.

Findings from the 120 respondents indicate that 82.5% depend on firewood, 70.8% on non-timber forest products, and 63.3% on timber. The mean utilization score of 3.79 shows high dependence on forest resources. Chi-square analysis revealed significant gender differences in firewood (p = 0.007) and NTFP (p = 0.015) utilization, with women being the primary collectors. These results demonstrate that local livelihoods are heavily reliant on forest resources, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices within Kabembe Community Forest Management Area.