Kisoro wetlands on verge of extinction
Nov 04, 2002
Poor methods of farming and increasing population in Kisoro, Bushenyi and Kanungu districts are pushing wetlands on the verge of extinction.
Poor methods of farming and increasing population in Kisoro, Bushenyi and Kanungu districts are pushing wetlands on the verge of extinction.
Sixty-seven percent of the 33.4 sq.km total wetlands constituting 4.6% of Kisoro district have been converted to farmland and supply more than 50% of the district’s food requirements.
“Farmers in Kisoro practice some of the worst methods of agriculture by making longitudinal terraces.
Loss of soil fertility and landslides descending from the hills is increasing, leading to siltation hydrosphere.
“But during the colonial period, proper farming methods were being carried out. Declining yields have led to an increase in use of fertilisers and pesticides. The 1960s and ‘70s saw an increase in population, putting pressure on the wetlands downhill,†said William Mugisha, Kisoro’s district environment officer.
More than 70% of the wetlands in the district are associated with and lead to the Lake Edward drainage system. “Schools like Mutorere no longer have fish two times a week due to increased siltation of Lakes Murehe, Chahafi, Kayumbu and Mutanda. There has been a decline in breeding,†Mugisha said. “Lake Chahafi, Murehe and Kayumbu were restocked with tilapia nilotica and clarius species at the beginning of this year. Restocking will be carried out regularly. A cooperative society has been formed to look after Kayumbu.
Three metres have been left as buffer zone,†he revealed.
Bushenyi district has a total area of 250 sq.km of wetland, constituting 5.8% (3949 sq. km) of the district area of which 132 sq.km is permanent and 118 sq.km is seasonal wetland. “Sixty-eight sq. km (27.2%) of the total wetland area has been converted,†said Cyril Mugyenyi, district environment officer, Bushenyi.
The district is generally hilly with fairly wide valleys occupied by wetlands, which exist due to impeded drainage. There are two main wetland systems in the district: Lake Victoria and Lake Edward/George drainage systems. “This shows Bushenyi is a source of River Nile. Waters originate from here. So, if we can revitalise wetlands, we shall be able to harness papyrus and banana fibres to produce paper as our Japanese friends have told us,†said Longino Ndyanabo, LC5 Chairman, Bushenyi.
Mugyenyi argued that increased drainage would lead to the eradication of sitatunga, hippos, otters, snakes, various fish species and birds, which have been common in most wetlands. “The most affected are seasonal wetlands and those with a high altitudinal range.
Permanent wetlands are less affected because they are deeply waterlogged,†he said. The only conservation measure taken has been indirect as in the case of Lakes Edward and George fringing wetlands and Kibona wetland, which are within Queen Elizabeth National Park and Nyamweru which is in Maramagambo Forest Reserve.
Outside the national park and game reserves, no conservation measures are observed. “So far two wetlands — Kitimbulaizo and Kazhurugo have been restored in Bushenyi,†Paul Mafabi, commissioner, NWP, says.
“Muzira swamp, Kyangyenyi sub-county, Bushenyi district, covering an area of 10 sq km, has been heavily drained by cattle farmers. It is one of the tributaries feeding Lake Victoria and River Rwizi,†said Patrick Katende, LC3 Chairman Kyangyenyi, Bushenyi.
“This region was chosen because of its unique landscape and the threat to its natural resources,†explained Dr. Joy Tukahirwa, executive director, ECOTRUST, which intends to increase equitable and sustainable use of wetland ecosystems in the three most affected districts.
Sixty-seven percent of the 33.4 sq.km total wetlands constituting 4.6% of Kisoro district have been converted to farmland and supply more than 50% of the district’s food requirements.
“Farmers in Kisoro practice some of the worst methods of agriculture by making longitudinal terraces.
Loss of soil fertility and landslides descending from the hills is increasing, leading to siltation hydrosphere.
“But during the colonial period, proper farming methods were being carried out. Declining yields have led to an increase in use of fertilisers and pesticides. The 1960s and ‘70s saw an increase in population, putting pressure on the wetlands downhill,†said William Mugisha, Kisoro’s district environment officer.
More than 70% of the wetlands in the district are associated with and lead to the Lake Edward drainage system. “Schools like Mutorere no longer have fish two times a week due to increased siltation of Lakes Murehe, Chahafi, Kayumbu and Mutanda. There has been a decline in breeding,†Mugisha said. “Lake Chahafi, Murehe and Kayumbu were restocked with tilapia nilotica and clarius species at the beginning of this year. Restocking will be carried out regularly. A cooperative society has been formed to look after Kayumbu.
Three metres have been left as buffer zone,†he revealed.
Bushenyi district has a total area of 250 sq.km of wetland, constituting 5.8% (3949 sq. km) of the district area of which 132 sq.km is permanent and 118 sq.km is seasonal wetland. “Sixty-eight sq. km (27.2%) of the total wetland area has been converted,†said Cyril Mugyenyi, district environment officer, Bushenyi.
The district is generally hilly with fairly wide valleys occupied by wetlands, which exist due to impeded drainage. There are two main wetland systems in the district: Lake Victoria and Lake Edward/George drainage systems. “This shows Bushenyi is a source of River Nile. Waters originate from here. So, if we can revitalise wetlands, we shall be able to harness papyrus and banana fibres to produce paper as our Japanese friends have told us,†said Longino Ndyanabo, LC5 Chairman, Bushenyi.
Mugyenyi argued that increased drainage would lead to the eradication of sitatunga, hippos, otters, snakes, various fish species and birds, which have been common in most wetlands. “The most affected are seasonal wetlands and those with a high altitudinal range.
Permanent wetlands are less affected because they are deeply waterlogged,†he said. The only conservation measure taken has been indirect as in the case of Lakes Edward and George fringing wetlands and Kibona wetland, which are within Queen Elizabeth National Park and Nyamweru which is in Maramagambo Forest Reserve.
Outside the national park and game reserves, no conservation measures are observed. “So far two wetlands — Kitimbulaizo and Kazhurugo have been restored in Bushenyi,†Paul Mafabi, commissioner, NWP, says.
“Muzira swamp, Kyangyenyi sub-county, Bushenyi district, covering an area of 10 sq km, has been heavily drained by cattle farmers. It is one of the tributaries feeding Lake Victoria and River Rwizi,†said Patrick Katende, LC3 Chairman Kyangyenyi, Bushenyi.
“This region was chosen because of its unique landscape and the threat to its natural resources,†explained Dr. Joy Tukahirwa, executive director, ECOTRUST, which intends to increase equitable and sustainable use of wetland ecosystems in the three most affected districts.