Concerns over Kamunzuku forest encroachment

Environmentalists in Rubirizi district are concerned about the continued encroachment on the Kamunzuku forest reserve.

Kamunzuku is part of the greater Kashoha - Kitomi central forest reserve and it borders the sub-counties of Magambo, Katanda and Rutoto in the western Uganda district.

It is reported that communities around the forest are encroaching on it for firewood, timber and charcoal.

Ben Bataringaya is the Executive Director Community Volunteer Initiative for Development (COVOID), a local NGO operating in greater Bushenyi. He says that uncontrolled use of this forest might deplete the tree cover hence accelerate global warming.

A recent survey indicates that Uganda loses 92,000 hectares of forest cover annually.

The study also indicates that at this rate, if nothing is done to curb the trend, Uganda could lose its forest cover by 2040.