River drying due to mining
Oct 14, 2010
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has directed 250 people, who have been mining sand and extracting stones from River Mpanga to vacate the area.
By Hope Mafaranga
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has directed 250 people, who have been mining sand and extracting stones from River Mpanga to vacate the area.
Kabarole district natural resources officer Sam Mugume on Tuesday said the river was drying up due to illegal sand mining and stones extraction.
“The law requires that people carry out the activities 100 metres away from the river,†Mugume explained.
He said the river is drying up because of degradation and the reducing water volumes.
“The water volumes have reduced and this is unacceptable. They must leave the place immediately,†Mugume said.
He said the National Water and Sewerage Cooperation had to increase water prices in Fort Portal town because the costs of pumping the water from the river had increased.
He said the Government would plant trees along the affected area to restore the environment.
But the evicted residents said they have been excavating stones and sand from the river for 20 years, adding that it was their only source of income.
They asked the Government to give them income-generating projects to vacate the river.
“Mining sand and extracting stones are my only source of income. If NEMA stops me from doing this, my family will die of hunger,†George Akugizibwe said.
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has directed 250 people, who have been mining sand and extracting stones from River Mpanga to vacate the area.
Kabarole district natural resources officer Sam Mugume on Tuesday said the river was drying up due to illegal sand mining and stones extraction.
“The law requires that people carry out the activities 100 metres away from the river,†Mugume explained.
He said the river is drying up because of degradation and the reducing water volumes.
“The water volumes have reduced and this is unacceptable. They must leave the place immediately,†Mugume said.
He said the National Water and Sewerage Cooperation had to increase water prices in Fort Portal town because the costs of pumping the water from the river had increased.
He said the Government would plant trees along the affected area to restore the environment.
But the evicted residents said they have been excavating stones and sand from the river for 20 years, adding that it was their only source of income.
They asked the Government to give them income-generating projects to vacate the river.
“Mining sand and extracting stones are my only source of income. If NEMA stops me from doing this, my family will die of hunger,†George Akugizibwe said.