CHAPTER THREE: DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY SITE AND
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology applied in conducting
the research. It includes the method and techniques used in data collection and
analysis. The chapter also shows the population from which data was collected
and how it was selected.
3.1. Description of the study site
The study was carried out in Kitabi Sector of Nyamagabe
District of Southern Province. Kitabi Sector is among the seventeen sectors of
Nyamagabe District out of which, five sectors are bordering of Nyungwe National
Park. These five sectors are: Kitabi, Uwinkingi, Gatare, Buruhukiro and
Nkomane.
Therefore, Kitabi Sector was selected to represent the five
Sectors neighboring of the Park. It is made up of five Cells which are: Kagano,
Uwingugu, Mukungu, Mujuga and Shyaba. It has the total population of 25333 both
female and male, with a surface of 24,3 sq km, the population density is 328
inhabitant per sq km .The researcher selected two cells, which are more
neighboring of Nyungwe National Park to represent the five cells of Kitabi, due
to the target topic.
Those two cells are Kagano and Shyaba with a population of
10699. This sector is composed by many Mountains, and a highest altitude which
varies between 1500m and 2100m. Its climate is favorable for agricultural
activities of maize, wheat, sweet potatoes and tea. Therefore a big number of
populations occupy the agriculture activities which are estimated on 90
percent.
The remaining part of population is oriented in the livestock
of cheptilization and commerce. But we cannot forget that a small number occupy
the beekeeping which has not enough productivity. Also there environmental
issues to which Kitabi sector is facing are like the overexploitation of soil,
overgrazing, soil erosion, deforestation, fire burning by the farmers, firewood
issues and hunting activities.
However, the activities degrading environment, there are also
many development activities related to Nyungwe National Park which were put
into practice in order to stop the degradation of environment like environment
education, improved cooking stoves, agroforestary, handcraft which generate
income to the population replacing some of activities degrading the environment
done by the population and ecotourism. In addition there have developed the
muchroom crops which consist of replacing the needs of meat. This was done in
order to stop and protect against the hunting activities in the park.
In terms of geographical location, Kitabi Sector borders with
Uwinkingi sector in the North,
Nyaruguru District in the South, and Tare
sector in the East and Nyamasheke District in the west.
3.2. Methodology
According to Bailley (1978:26), methodology means the
philosophy of research process. This includes assumptions and values that serve
as a rational for research and the standard criteria the researcher uses for
interpreting data and reaching conclusions.
The contemporary English Dictionary (1992:929) defines
methodology as a set of methods and principles that are used while studying a
particular kind of work; and Bailley (1978:29) considers it to be a research
technique or tool used to gather data.
The qualitative method was used to gather data while carrying out
the research, which helped to analyze the views or opinions of the
respondents.
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