NFA: support co-management of forests with caution

By Oyet Okwera

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has welcomed the idea of co-managing forests with different communities in Mpigi district.

 The officials however, cautioned that some areas still remain under custody of the forests watch dog.

This was disclosed by Bob Kazugu, a senior forest officer during a field visit of Association of Uganda Professional Women in Agriculture and Environment (AUPWAE) at Mbazi farmers association in Mpigi.

"When we co-manage forests with the communities in Mpigi, it promotes better and effective conservation of natural resources," said Kazungu

Kazungu noted that all stakeholders should encourage enrichment planting of trees to ensure restoration of tree species that are depleted by encroachers.

He observed that although it is hard to restore natural forests, all leaders in communities should encourage planting of exotic tree species for increased forest cover.

Concepta Mukasa, programme officer at AUPWAE observed that there is need to encourage women manage forest resources to preserve the environment.

Mukasa advised women to take advantage of land availed by NFA to plant different tree species.

She was speaking to AUPWAE members recently at Nob View hotel during a training on adoptive collaborative management (ACM) before heading to field visits in Mbazi, Mpigi district.

"We have decided to encourage adoptive collaborative management (ACM) to include all stakeholders manage forest resources," said Mukasa

AUPWAE introduced ACM to deepen the understanding of stakeholders in managing forest resources through practical interactions.



According to a survey by Uganda forest reserve and institution centre in partnership with Makerere University, school of forestry, most forest reserves have suffered from degradation.

The forest degradation in this research is blamed on the increased conversion of land for agriculture.

The research also indicates that men have been at the fore front of forest management yet women are greatly affected by the status of forests.

The research points out that deteriorating forest reserves have negatively affected health of women because of reduced rainfall.

Polly Birakwate, district forest officer (DFO) in Mpigi observes increased demand for timber and firewood in the district which is leading in forest depletion.

"As we encourage co-management of these resources we need to establish committees to protect our environment even when we should encourage the private sector manage these resources in some areas," said Birakwate

Statistics indicate that Mpigi has over 11,000 hectares of forest cover and the district grapples with limited staff to monitor the resources.

"We only depend on community members for information about encroachment and abuse of forest reserves," said Birakwate       

John Giribo, NFA sector manager in-charge of Lyamunda forest range noted that some groups have used more than land resources allocated by NFA.

Giribo advised groups to utilize land equitably and avoid penetrating in reserves belonging to the forestry watch dog.

According to Giribo, there is need for more force group to preserve the environment and increase forest cover coupled with its management.

According to the condition of NFA, no one is supposed to plant crops on land resources allocated for tree planting.

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