Conserve wetlands in Kampala
Wetlands near Kampala are mostly located on the Lake Victoria shores thus their waters are collected and poured in the lake. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- It makes environmental and economic sense. We must all become environmental champions and ensure that policies and actions help to conserve urban wetlands and achieve sustainable development. Let us be reminded that the biggest threat to our planet and our city is the belief that someone else will save it.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)Uganda would like to commend the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) upon moving to cancel hundreds of land titles in Kampala city suburbs of Bugolobi, Muyenga, Kitintale, Luzira, Ntinda, Kira, Namugongo, Wakiso, Entebbe Road, Kansanga, Kyambogo, Mukono and Sonde. This action by a top environment watch dog has demonstrated its commitment to, among others, conserve nature and the environment.
Kampala has an area of about 238 square kms, a big part of which was once a wetland. Today, wetlands in and around Kampala, are on the verge of extinction as they are being encroached due to the increasing population in the city. Wetlands near Kampala are mostly located on the Lake Victoria shores thus their waters are collected and poured in the lake. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa. What remains in these places are drainage channels, which divert water flow from the wetlands.
At WWF, we believe that when left intact or restored, Kampala’s wetlands will make the city livable in many important ways. They reduce flooding (which is increasingly becoming a characteristic of the city), replenish drinking water, filter waste, provide urban green spaces and are a source of livelihoods as well as a habitat for several plants and animal species.
As natural sponges, wetlands absorb flood water during heavy rain and release it in the dry season, which helps communities to cope with extreme weather events and protects them from disasters. This is the aim of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 on sustainable cities and communities and SDG 12 on responsible consumption.
Wetlands also filter the water that seeps into aquifers, replenishing the important water sources while the silt-rich soil and abundant plants in wetlands function as water filters, absorbing some harmful toxins and industrial waste. Urban wetlands also help in treating sewage from households. This contributes to SDGs 13 on climate change, 14 on protecting life below water, and 15 on protecting life on land.
Therefore, as government strives to attain sustainable development and inclusive economic growth, it is important for authorities such as Nema and other actors such as KCCA, etc, to integrate wetland preservation into our development and investment plans.
It makes environmental and economic sense. We must all become environmental champions and ensure that policies and actions help to conserve urban wetlands and achieve sustainable development. Let us be reminded that the biggest threat to our planet and our city is the belief that someone else will save it.
Let us all be reminded that Kampala is here to satisfy our needs, not our greed.
