Foresters advised against encroaching on NFA boundary

Jul 24, 2015

Foresters in Lyamunda, Mpigi district have been advised against encroaching on the boundary of the forestry watch dog, National Forestry Authority (NFA).

By Oyet Okwera

Foresters in Lyamunda, Mpigi district have been advised against encroaching on the boundary of the forestry watch dog, National Forestry Authority (NFA).

The foresters were told to utilize land equally and stop penetrating in reserves belonging to NFA.

This was disclosed recently by John Giribo, the NFA sector manager in-charge of Lyamunda forest range during a meeting with Mbazi farmers Association.

The association received a delegation from Association of Uganda Professional Women in Agriculture and Environment (AUPWAE) at their forest range.

"Ensure that you only use land allocated by NFA and we do not expect crops to be planted on the land resources. We only want you to plant trees as proposed by most of you," said Giribo.

 Bob Kazungu, senior forest officer at the ministry of water and environment said that some areas are strictly gazetted for NFA.

However, he is aware that some community members stealthily utilize land belonging to the forestry watch dog.

He said: "Although the government and forestry stakeholders should encourage more planting of trees, the different groups should plant only in areas gazetted to them."

Kazungu was happy that more women from AUPWAE are coming to support afforestation at the district level.

He observed that through dialogues and sensitization through groups like AUPWAE, foresters will appreciate the laws governing forestry activities.

 Concepta Mukasa, a representative from AUPWAE advised Mbazi farmers association to follow guidelines of NFA as they plant trees. Mukasa was happy with NFA for sensitising the group against planting on more than allocated space.

"I think this will address all the challenges because our people have known that it is against the law to plant on space not allocated to them by NFA," said Mukasa.

She led the delegation from different parts of the country during a forestry training programme at Nob View hotel aimed at encouraging tree planting.

Mbazi farmers Association was allocated 6 hectares of land on which the group planted trees and allegedly, they penetrated on NFA land by half an inch   
Polly Birakwate, the district forestry officer (DFO) said:  "We need to establish committees to protect our environment and land even when we should encourage the private sector to manage these resources in some areas," said Birakwate.

There are areas in Mpigi where the private sector is encouraged to manage the forest reserves because of limited staff.

Statistics indicate that Mpigi has over 11,000 hectares of forest cover and the district grapples with limited staff to monitor the resources.
 
According to a report by Mpigi independent Environment conservationists, up to 60% of forest reserves in Mpigi have been destroyed. Some of the most affected reserves include; Kabuwuuwo, Muduuma, and Mpanga along Kampala-Masaka Highway.

Others are; Bunjaako on Bunjaako Island and Kalandazi forest reserve among others.

Related to the story

NFA: support co-management of forests with caution

 

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