Government warns wetland encroachers

Feb 13, 2013

The party is over for wetland encroachers that hire trucks full of soil, rocks and gravel which they fill deposit before embarking on developing.

By Titus Kakembo

 
The party is over for wetland encroachers that hire trucks full of soil, rocks and gravel which they fill deposit before embarking on developing. 
 
They risk being apprehended and taken to the courts of law for trial. This comes on the heels of the creation of an environment force equipped with knowledge and tools to identify law breakers.
 
The Ministry of Water and Environment commissioner Paul Mafabi  revealed that the national coverage of wetlands in Uganda is steadily reducing from 13%-11% .
 
 “This implies that Uganda has lost 30 percent of its wetlands,” asserted Mafabi. This state of affairs is responsible for climate change in our midst, the floods that plagued eastern and north eastern Uganda recently.”
 
The fish catch is on a steady decline too.” The water bodies are silted, contaminated and clogged,” added Mafabi.
 
“This is a result of mismanaging our wetlands. Food crops are becoming very expensive as a result of the unpredictable climate.”
 
He pointed out that, so far, the worst wetland encroachers are farmers, industrialists, brick bakers and real estate developers.
 
However, these human activities are not only affecting humans but the entire bio diversity.  Uganda Bird Guides Association Chairman, Herbert
 
Byaruhanga says the worst hit feathered beauties are the Crested Cranes which dwell in swamps.
 
“Their numbers have reduced drastically as developers burn their eggs before hatching and their homes are turning into rice gardens in Pallisa, Butaleja and Gweri.” Adding that, “Burning of grass destroys nests and eggs.”
 
John Ogurumeme in Kapelebyong laments about missing his delicacy, ebileng (mud fish) and ebebele (edible rat) which was only available in swamps.
 
“These days when the rains come they are too much,” which atmosphere is not good enough for these species to reproduce. “And when drought comes, it hits us hard – I think the gods must be angry with Teso.”
 
Concerned folks are all eyes to see wetlands demarcated in Kampala, Gulu, Mbale, Bushenyi and Jinja as a pilot project.
 
“Unfortunately impunity of some people is making law enforcement hard.” Mafabi added that, “Given the numerous whistle blowers alerting the authorities about encroachers is evidence that the public is sensitized about the benefits and risk to expect from destroying wetlands.”
 
Unfortunately, there are instances when law enforcers have gone to evict a wetland encroacher, only to find them with a legitimate land title, an approved house construction plan and a National Environment Management Authourity (NEMA) authorization to develop a given area.
 

 

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