Echuya forest reserve set abraze

 

Over 12 hills and one wetland of Echuya forest reserve have been set ablaze by yet to be known people.

Echuya forest reserve is a sanctuary for different plants and animal species bordering two districts of Kisoro and Rubanda and covering over 34 square kilometres.

The forest has always seen some of its parts set ablaze at least once a year.

The 12 hills that have so far been confirmed burned are in both Muko sub county of Rubanda district and Kanaba of Kisoro district. They include Zugyi, Bukanama, Mbagayure, Gisha, Kuwabarozi, Gihirondwa in Kanaba Sub County, Kankirane, Murubindi, Katabukyi and Kigarama in Muko Sub County while the wetland connects both sub counties.

According to conservation organisations authorities in Muko and Kanaba, fire began yesterday at around 8:30pm by unknown persons whose intentions are believed to have been a need to cause rain.

A section of residents who spoke us condemned the act of burning the forest that is being advocated for to be taken over by Uganda Wildlife Authority in order for it to be more beneficial to the community.

They however blamed the National Forestry Authority for lack of enough personnel to conduct regular patrols inside and along the forest to curb human activities from this forest.

According to Irakiza Christopher, the forest has always been burnt accidentally by remains of fires from honey harvesters. He also noted that other individuals set the swamp ablaze because it accumulates a lot of smoke capable of causing rain.

He decried fewer efforts from the National forestry Authority in safeguarding the forest. He also revealed that most community members refuse to put out the fires because they are not rewarded for their efforts.

In a related development, community members surrounding Echuya forest reserve are demanding the government to gazette Echuya as a national park to enhance its security.  

Bagora Benon a close neighbour of the forest in Gitebe village, Kanaba Sub County told voice of Muhabura that Echuya forest is vulnerable to so many illegal activities of tree cutting, bee keeping, bamboo harvesting among others that have always exposed it to bad elements.

He noted that people who set the forest ablaze use the opportunity of limited patrols and weak National Forestry Authority (NFA) that only has failed to motivate communities on conserving this forest.

He blamed NFA for not sharing the forest benefits with local communities that would have helped it in enforcing its agenda of conservation.

Tumwesigye Set, another resident and a leader in Kanaba Community Development and Echuya Forest Conservation Association (KADECA) noted that different community organisations in Muko, Bufundi, Kanaba and Murora sub counties have been formed to aid the government in keeping Echuya secure but NFA is failing to coordinate with them.

He noted that NFA is entitled to strengthen patrols and fire gangs during dry seasons but nothing has been done this year. He also demanded that the forest be taken up by UWA for communities to benefit from tourism.

Dr. Haruna Mutabazi, the Muko sub county LC3 Vice Chairperson who doubles as the Chairman for Muko Echuya forest Conservation development Organisation said that NFA has also always failed to facilitate people that sacrifice to put out fires yet they meet with different challenges like snake bites.

The KADECA Chairperson, Rubibi Yubu asked the government and its agencies to consider giving in any kind support to community members that are fighting the fires that are engulfing the whole forest. He said that it has so far burnt over 80 acres.