Leaders turn to bamboo to secure Lake Bunyonyi’s depth
Affected.An aerial view of Lake Bunyonyi. Authorities will plant bamboo trees at the shores of the lake in a move aimed at reducing silt that flows into the water body threatening its historical depth. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
Issue. Authorities say the depth of Lake Bunyonyi has reduced by about 10 metres in the last 10 years due to silting
KABALE. Local leaders and development partners in Rubanda and Kisoro districts have finalised plans to plant bamboo trees on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi to reduce silting of the water body.
During a meeting on Tuesday in Kabale Town, the leaders and their partners also agreed to work as a team to conserve Echuya Forest Reserve that is believed to be the main water catchment for Lake Bunyonyi.
They pledged to mobilise communities on improved farming methods, especially on the hills adjacent to Lake Bunyonyi, as another way of blocking the eroded silt from flowing into the lake.
“Domesticating bamboo shall also reduce the pressure on the natural bamboo trees in the Echuya Forest Reserve which is the main source of water for Lake Bunyonyi and other water streams that serve communities in Kisoro and Rubanda districts,” Mr Achilles Byaruhanga, the executive director of Nature Uganda, said.
Mr Byaruhanga said they have millions of bamboo seedlings in nursery beds ready for distribution to residents to plant on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
He added that the project is being rolled out to stop the depletion of forested areas besides contributing to the realistion of best participatory forest management practices in Uganda.
The Kabale District natural resources officer, Mr Rogers Akatwijuka, said a recent study indicated the depth of Lake Bunyonyi had reduced by about 10 metres in the last 10 years due to silting.
At the same meeting, the Kisoro District chairperson, Mr Abel Bizimana, and the Rubanda District vice chairperson, Mr Pastoli Twinomuhangi, asked Uganda Wildlife Authority to take over management of Echuya Forest Reserve claiming that some National Forest Authority (NFA) officials were taking lead in destroying the reserve.
What NFA says
The NFA plantation manager- in-charge of Kigezi, Mr Martin Mwodi, dismissed the claims, saying there could be some isolated cases of indisciplined forest supervisors.
Mr Mwodi said some of the forest supervisors have been injured by encroachers and asked the district security team to provide them with protection.
