FOREST THREATS AND ISSUES

FOREST THREATS AND ISSUESForest reserves are being encroached upon for agricultural production. Apart from agricultural encroachment, these reserves are also a major source of poles for building, firewood and other domestic usesMost of the forest reserves in Kibale are faced with encroachment which is in the form of cultivation and settlement.About 48% of Masindi is under protection as Central Forest Reserves, Local Forest Reserve, National park and wildlife reserve. It is a challenge to rally support from politicians (in form of staff and funds for Local Forest Reserves) to protect all these protected areas.There is illegal exploitation of forest produce that includes, pit sawing, charcoal burning, sand mining, stone quarrying, hunting, bush fires, over debarking for medicinal purposes.Oil exploration/industrial development/urban development in the vicinity of some of reserves like Bugoma pose a threat to their existence as well. The many illegal activities and threats to the forest reserves whose biodiversity composition is little known implies a lot that is not even known is being lost. Moreover most of the small reserves are vulnerable riverine forest ecosystems. The reserves are important water catchments, and spring water source for local communities. Their destruction is therefore upsets both ecological and socio-economic functions.Land ownership has turned out be a hot issue in Bunyoro. This is largely associated with oil exploration in the area. Riverine forests and many other forest patches located on community and private land and this makes them susceptible to exploitation for individual interests.