Activists oppose mining in national park
Mar 19, 2008
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have rejected the proposed plans to mine limestone in part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. “The public and the Government are being misled that we are in support of mining in the park. There are still so many unresolved issues,†said Frank Muramuzi, the executive director of
By Gerald Tenywa
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have rejected the proposed plans to mine limestone in part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. “The public and the Government are being misled that we are in support of mining in the park. There are still so many unresolved issues,†said Frank Muramuzi, the executive director of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists.
Two weeks ago, The New Vision published a story quoting environmentalists as backing the mining at Dura quarry. But the association last week called a press conference at their offices in Kampala to refute the story.
Muramuzi was flanked by officials from the wildlife society and Abantu Trust who were said to have visited Dura and approved the project.
He said it was illegal to mine in the park because it contravenes the wildlife policy and the Uganda Wildlife Act 2000, adding that the quarrying activities would have adverse environmental effects.
He cited the scaring of elephants and other animals that use part of the park at Dura as a migratory corridor to move between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park.
According to Muramuzi, the anticipated economic gains from the mining had been exaggerated.
“Many of the people employed there come from elsewhere and beyond Uganda. Others are employed as casual labourers and the pay is not good,†he said.
An official of the wildlife society, Dr. Chris Bakunetta, noted that tourism was one of the top revenue earners for the country and therefore it did not make sense to eliminate wildlife, which is one of the main attractions.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have rejected the proposed plans to mine limestone in part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. “The public and the Government are being misled that we are in support of mining in the park. There are still so many unresolved issues,†said Frank Muramuzi, the executive director of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists.
Two weeks ago, The New Vision published a story quoting environmentalists as backing the mining at Dura quarry. But the association last week called a press conference at their offices in Kampala to refute the story.
Muramuzi was flanked by officials from the wildlife society and Abantu Trust who were said to have visited Dura and approved the project.
He said it was illegal to mine in the park because it contravenes the wildlife policy and the Uganda Wildlife Act 2000, adding that the quarrying activities would have adverse environmental effects.
He cited the scaring of elephants and other animals that use part of the park at Dura as a migratory corridor to move between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park.
According to Muramuzi, the anticipated economic gains from the mining had been exaggerated.
“Many of the people employed there come from elsewhere and beyond Uganda. Others are employed as casual labourers and the pay is not good,†he said.
An official of the wildlife society, Dr. Chris Bakunetta, noted that tourism was one of the top revenue earners for the country and therefore it did not make sense to eliminate wildlife, which is one of the main attractions.