forest conservation
By: Kato Paul
Last week the media reported about the scientists calling on the youth participation in the forest conservation in order to help to mitigate change. The appeal was made during the celebration of the international for forestry day under the theme forests and sustainable production and consumption on 21st March 2022
The idea by the scientists was very good but what they need to know is that idea may not yield much because the Youth only may not restore back the cleared forest cover across the country.
It is noted that the high levels of the lost a vast amount of the forest cover is to agricultural encroachment, Charcoal burning, firewood , timber logging and urbanization among others across the country. The scientists needs engage the all the stakeholders to participate in the forest conservation because most of the stake holders lack good information about forest conservation due to poor forest management by the government officials.
Ugandans should know that today the country is losing 100,000 hectares per year according to UBOS report. The massive destruction of the forest across the country needs the joint efforts by the various stakeholders
Currently forest plantations only cover is 0.2% of all forest land in the country or about 34,000 hectares. About 65% of this is government owned while the rest is privately or customarily owned and most of the state owned plantations are in a very poor state. There has been little planting. Within the next 5 to 10 years all the existing stock will have been exhausted.
The area under forest plantations may increase if the entire stakeholders from the grass root levels to national are thoroughly engaged in the forest conservation.
It is important because it will help to ensure transparency and credibility of the procedure itself, consideration of different interests, and sustainability of forestry management, reduce the high levels of deforestation, makes everyone to have an obligation to conserve forests.
Therefore, I call upon the scientists from National Forestry Resources Research Institute(NaFORRI) to ensure full engagement of the all the stakeholders in the forest conservation in order to reduce the increasing climatic changes like drought, flooding and other environment risks.
Kato Paul-Research Associate at Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO)
Katop.adyeeri@gmail.com.
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