UWA presents long term plan for Karamoja wildlife reserves

Nov 24, 2016

he management plan is curved in three zones

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has delivered a ten year draft management plan for the Matheniko and Bokora wildlife reserves to help conserve the unique ecosystems in Karamoja. 

The management plan for 2017 to 2026 was presented during a stakeholders meeting at Friends City Hotel in Moroto on Wednesday for further input ahead of the final management reserve plan expected soon for implementation. 

The management plan aims at conserving the national and international unique ecosystems comprised of the rare plants and animal species including wetland areas amidst dry zones for the present and future development in order to add to the rich cultural values of the neighbouring communities. 

Richard Kapere, the planning coordinator at UWA noted that some the key issues addressed in the management plan include domestic animal grazing, poaching and encroachment among others. 

Kapere said that once the plan is completed after several consultations with a vast number of stakeholders, issues of domestic animal grazing, crop farming and settlements will only be conducted in specific areas and according to the management zone. 

Peter Ken Lochap, the RDC Moroto said that issues of coexistence need to be taken care of and appropriate measures taken to ensure that both parties live in harmony. 

The management plan is curved in three zones which include the core management zone where no cattle grazing will be allowed while buffer management zone will allow minimal cattle grazing with the request from the cooperative communities. 

However, in the third and last management zone also known as the collaborative resource use zone, cattle grazing will be allowed to continue under strict monitoring without wild animal poaching or crop cultivation activities on the ground.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});