Continuities in Environmental Narratives: The Case of Kabale, Uganda, 1930-2000. (1st February 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carswell, Grace
• Is Part Of: Environment and history. Volume 9:Number 1(2003:Jan.)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2003-02-01
• Subjects: Human ecology -- History -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; Human beings -- Effect of environment on -- Periodicals; 304.209
• DOI: 10.3197/096734003129342755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-3407

Abstract

This article looks at continuities and change around the issue of agricultural sustainability in colonial and post-colonial Kabale. It argues that a series of environmental narratives developed during the colonial period, which have been largely unquestioned since then. It shows how the perception of the district being threatened with environmental degradation has continued from the earliest colonial period up to the present day. Many of the assumptions made by colonial officials remain unquestioned, and with few exceptions the policy rhetoric remains unaltered in the post-colonial period. It argues that recent evidence suggests that these assumptions need to be seriously questioned.