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Silent disappearance of wetlands
Wetlands are also home to birds, fish and countless other species that support livelihoods through fishing, tourism and agriculture. Their loss is not simply an environmental concern; it is an economic and public health issue that affects every Ugandan.
Sandra Atukunda. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Sandra Atukunda
I found myself reflecting on the quiet disappearance of Uganda’s wetlands while sitting in a café in Kampala. As I sipped my coffee, a wave of stale, warm air settled over the compound. It reminded me how fortunate I was that a few trees and patches of greenery had been spared amid the sea of concrete, glass and terrazzo that now dominates much of the city.
Travel beyond Kampala, and a familiar sight unfolds. Wetlands are being cleared to make way for industrial parks, housing estates and small-scale industries. Development is essential for economic growth, job creation and improved livelihoods. Yet, in our pursuit of progress, we risk sacrificing one of nature’s most hardworking and least appreciated assets.
Wetlands are the silent workforce beneath the reeds. Day and night, they provide services without recognition or reward. They naturally filter pollutants from water, reducing contamination before it reaches our rivers and lakes. They absorb excess rainfall, helping to reduce flooding that increasingly disrupts communities during heavy storms. They also store significant amounts of carbon, making them allies in the fight against climate change.
Perhaps, most noticeable in our rapidly expanding towns is their role in regulating local temperatures. Areas surrounded by healthy wetlands and vegetation are noticeably cooler than those covered entirely by concrete and asphalt.
As cities expand and natural landscapes disappear, urban heat intensifies, making our environments less comfortable and increasing energy demand for cooling.
Wetlands are the silent workforce beneath the reeds. Day and night, they provide services without recognition or reward. They naturally filter pollutants from water, reducing contamination before it reaches our rivers and lakes. They absorb excess rainfall, helping to reduce flooding that increasingly disrupts communities during heavy storms. They also store significant amounts of carbon, making them allies in the fight against climate change.
Perhaps, most noticeable in our rapidly expanding towns is their role in regulating local temperatures. Areas surrounded by healthy wetlands and vegetation are noticeably cooler than those covered entirely by concrete and asphalt.
As cities expand and natural landscapes disappear, urban heat intensifies, making our environments less comfortable and increasing energy demand for cooling.
Wetlands are also home to birds, fish and countless other species that support livelihoods through fishing, tourism and agriculture. Their loss is not simply an environmental concern; it is an economic and public health issue that affects every Ugandan.
Rotary has long championed environmental stewardship because healthy ecosystems are inseparable from healthy communities. Conserving wetlands does not mean opposing development. Rather, it means planning wisely — protecting critical ecosystems while promoting sustainable investments that benefit both people and nature.
The next time you pass a papyrus swamp or marshland, remember that beneath those reeds is a silent workforce tirelessly cleaning our water, cooling our cities, storing carbon and protecting our future. Their work is invaluable, but unlike human workers, they cannot speak for themselves.
Our responsibility is to ensure they continue serving generations to come.
The writer is a senior engineer at the Ministry of Water and Environment
Rotary has long championed environmental stewardship because healthy ecosystems are inseparable from healthy communities. Conserving wetlands does not mean opposing development. Rather, it means planning wisely — protecting critical ecosystems while promoting sustainable investments that benefit both people and nature.
The next time you pass a papyrus swamp or marshland, remember that beneath those reeds is a silent workforce tirelessly cleaning our water, cooling our cities, storing carbon and protecting our future. Their work is invaluable, but unlike human workers, they cannot speak for themselves.
Our responsibility is to ensure they continue serving generations to come.
The writer is a senior engineer at the Ministry of Water and Environment