UWA plants native trees in Kibale park

By Gerald Tenywa THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and FACE, a Netherlands-based non-governmental organisation have planted native trees in Kibale National Park.The trees cover over 3,000 hectares. FACE (Forests Absorbing Carbondioxide Emissions) project coordinator Fred Kizza told The New Vision recently that they would plant up to 10,000 hectares of trees in Kibale.He said eight different tree species including the endangered Prunus Africana used in the treatment of prostate cancer were being planted to restore degraded areas in the park.UWA and FACE have been cooperating for the last five years to restore areas degraded by encroachers in Kibale and Elgon national parks.Kizza said the trees would absorb large amounts of carbondioxide and reduce overheating of the earth.carbondioxide is like a green house which traps heat escaping from the earth surface and leads to global warming. This phenomenon is characterised by increased temperatures.“With the creation of new forests, carbondioxide from the atmosphere can be fixed. Planting trees therefore reduces the global warming and the effects on climatic changes,’’ he said.Kizza said the trees take in carbondioxide and release oxygen. Under the UWA-FACE agreement, the trees will be protected to ensure their growth.