Pupils call for tight laws on environmental conservation

By Vivian Agaba & Clare Muhindo

Pupils of St. Peter's Primary School, Nsambya and Namirlango Boys' Primary School have asked government to tighten laws on environmental conservation.

They made the call while in a meeting with renowned animal rights activist, Dr. Jane Goodall at their schools Monday.

The Roots and Shoots club members of St. Peter's Primary School, Nsambya in their poem entitled Conservation of Environment, observed that there is a lot of environmental degradation, encroachment on wetlands and therefore, something must be done.

Dr. Jane Goodall with pupils of St. Peter's Primary School, Nsambya

"We call upon government to tighten laws that seek for the protection of our environment so as to curb environmental degradation and wetland encroachment, vices that have destroyed our environment," said the pupils.

They also tasked religious leaders to use their influence and sensitize Ugandans on the advantages of conserving the environment.

Goodall applauded the pupils for caring about the conservation of the environment saying that without environment, no life.

"As a young generation, you need to come up very energetic to fight for the proper conservation of the environment. This also involves sensitizing fellow pupils, parents/guardians, members of your families and general public against destruction of the environment," she noted.

Dr. Goodall has embarked on a on a chimpanzee conservation campaign in primary schools in Uganda.

The campaign is aimed at conserving the endangered chimpanzees, and the welfare of those that are brought to captivity.

"We provide young people with knowledge, tools and hopeful inspiration to better their environment, and improve the quality of life of people and animals," she said.

Benet Lubwama, a pupil of Namiryango Primary school said Goodall's work has helped the pupils to know the relevance of environmental conservation.

Goodall started a global environmental and humanitarian youth programme for young people called Roots and Shoots, which today has nearly 150,000 members in more than 130 countries worldwide, including Uganda