Tourist Agroforestry Landscape from the Perception of Local Communities: A Case Study of Rwenzori, Uganda

The Bakonjo have long practiced an agroforestry system of cultivation on the Ugandan slopes Rwenzori Mountain range. All terrain above 1600–2200 m has been strictly protected for many years because it is part a national park. As trade-off, landscapes outside park largely deforested. In meantime, tourist numbers increased. Ruboni, village 1200 people, closest to eastern gate park, we interviewed random sample 51 residents aged >14 understand how they perceived landscape, and tourism. Cultivated features were not essential describe place residence, in contrast natural human engineered devices. elements judged as beautiful. Even if inhabitants did like facilities, welcomed their improvement. origin native non-native plants was consistently recognized. These results show that feel affection pattern landscape. However, ecological, social economic pressures are challenging land use sustainability. This would be better addressed by integrated governance than current two models: strict protection inside relaxed outside.