It seems like in most of the poor countries, the rain forests are threatened. People don’t seem to understand the importance of conserving these forests. The latest news is: Ugandan Government officials are handing over a vast majority of protected forest area to the developers for industry.
What the Ugandan government doesn’t realize is the importance of the protected forest reserve. The 7000 hectares of area has been protected since 1932. After the give away the area will loose protection to Mehta group for sugarcane production. I think this really sucks. We need to make the Ugandan government understand the importance of this area. There seems to be two sides of the story in this case.
The conservationists:
According to Achilles Byaruhanga, Executive Director of NatureUganda:
Losing these forests, particularly the Mabira Forest Reserve, would have enormous repercussions for both people and wildlife in Uganda
Byaruhanga seems to be frustrated over this ordeal:
this is in part a reflection of how little we, as a nation, understand the economic value of retaining our natural resources
Roughly about 3 people were killed after 1000 protesters demonstrated against the government for the protection of the rain forest. According to reports, there have been riots all over against Asians, since the Mehta group is Indian.
The Political take on this:
Let’s look at how the Ugandan politicians view this give-away:
According to the President Museveni, conservationists do not understand the fact that the future of Uganda lies in the deforestation of this land.
I think he sort of has a valid point as well. Although, along with his peers, he need s to figure out a different plan of action. Chopping a major protected area is not the way to increase the countries economic benefits.
Benefits of keeping the forest:
1) The forest protects the water catchment area formed by water bodies of the area. The carbon sink in the forest is about $212 million USD.
2) Sustainable and regulated harvesting of wood and food keeps the local population alive. If the forest is privatized, I am sure local people won’t survive much longer.
3) According to sources, 62% of revenue comes from tourism. If Mabria is given away, this income will be gone.
4) This forest like other rainforests is also a biodiversity hot spot. It’s home to many different species of birds like the Blue-throated roller. About 300 species of birds have been reported so far in Mabria forest.
As of now conservationists are positive that the govt. will take the right action and protect the people and forest of the area. However, things don’t look that promising to me. One is going to happen for sure: if we keep deforesting rain forests the livelihoods of locals and many endangered species will be at stake in near future.
Image Credits: Afrol, and Telegraph
