Eviction from Luwunga forest is welcome news
Mar 16, 2010
EDITOR—Press reports that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has evicted about 12,200 encroachers from Luwunga forest reserve in Kiboga district is welcome news.
EDITOR—Press reports that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has evicted about 12,200 encroachers from Luwunga forest reserve in Kiboga district is welcome news.
Uganda has the highest rate of deforestation in the world and figures from the NFA indicate that over 80,000 hectares of Uganda’s forest cover is lost annually.
This is mostly attributed to the activities of encroachers setting up settlements and gardens in forest reserves which has affected efforts to sustain our forests and exacerbated illegal activities such as pitsawing and charcoal burning. Trees act as water catchment areas and absorb carbon which traps heat.
Deforestation which is mostly fuelled by encroachment is linked to the soaring temperatures which are making the way for El-nino, projected to feature heavy rains, devastating floods, water-borne diseases and landslides like the ones that have recently devastated Bududa.
This is therefore the right time for orderly eviction of all encroachers from protected areas if the such calamities are to be minimised.
Patrick Abigaba
Makerere University
Uganda has the highest rate of deforestation in the world and figures from the NFA indicate that over 80,000 hectares of Uganda’s forest cover is lost annually.
This is mostly attributed to the activities of encroachers setting up settlements and gardens in forest reserves which has affected efforts to sustain our forests and exacerbated illegal activities such as pitsawing and charcoal burning. Trees act as water catchment areas and absorb carbon which traps heat.
Deforestation which is mostly fuelled by encroachment is linked to the soaring temperatures which are making the way for El-nino, projected to feature heavy rains, devastating floods, water-borne diseases and landslides like the ones that have recently devastated Bududa.
This is therefore the right time for orderly eviction of all encroachers from protected areas if the such calamities are to be minimised.
Patrick Abigaba
Makerere University