The country has lost a huge amount of forest over recent decades, mostly for farming and firewood. A specific project in Ibanda District is trying to turn that around by planting native trees. Officials from the water ministry and the local district checked on the effort, which focuses on areas within the Mpanga Catchment, and reported that the new trees are growing well.
The district's natural resources officer, Elly Kilya, said their goal is to fix about ninety hectares of land, with over half already planted. The program, funded by a foundation and run by a local network, uses species like Prunus africana. Dr. Brian Guma Emmanuel from the water management zone said communities could see benefits from medicinal trees and possibly carbon credit income in a few years.
Local leaders, including Rukiri Sub-county Chairperson John Babisibiremu, stressed that community protection of the saplings is key for long-term success. Authorities argue that expanding projects like this is essential for fixing national forest loss and building climate resilience.
The district's natural resources officer, Elly Kilya, said their goal is to fix about ninety hectares of land, with over half already planted. The program, funded by a foundation and run by a local network, uses species like Prunus africana. Dr. Brian Guma Emmanuel from the water management zone said communities could see benefits from medicinal trees and possibly carbon credit income in a few years.
Local leaders, including Rukiri Sub-county Chairperson John Babisibiremu, stressed that community protection of the saplings is key for long-term success. Authorities argue that expanding projects like this is essential for fixing national forest loss and building climate resilience.
