Sustainable Ecosystem(Forests /Fresh water) Restoration and Management in the Albertine Rift.
Introduction
This is a global partnership project aiming to achieve improved conservation of biodiversity through biodiversity assessments, restoration and management of the biodiversity footprint. The aim of the project is to address the issue of native forest degradation by agriculture and tree cutting for timber.
The project started by undertaking a baseline survey from November 2007, aimed at information gathering and documentation about the status of natural forests in Bunyoro, West Nile and North Kigezi. The baseline led to the generation of lists of forests: 50 in Bunyoro, 73 in West Nile and 9 in North Kigezi and selected major forests for activity implementation.
Project Objectives:
- At least 850 hectares of forest restored under sustainable management by appropriate stakeholders.
- Integrated management plans for sustainable use of agricultural land and forest reserves .
- Risk assessment and land use mapping .
- Enhance forest ecosystem services through regeneration, management and mitigation
- Improve education and awareness among private sector ,local communities and other stake holders on the values of intact forests, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services
- Documentation and information sharing.
Our achievements
- Over 1000 forest owners mobilised and sensitised on forests and fresh water ecosystems conservation; activities still on-going
- Site-level conservation and engagement with local partners for joint restoration of degraded formally forested areas, fresh water conservation, planting of indigenous trees for construction of live barns.
- Establishment of indigenous tree nurseries for the restoration of selected forest blocks in Hoima district. Consequently restoration plans of some forest blocks were drawn and some farmers have started planting.
- Support to communities in forest-based enterprises to provide alternative sources of income as well as embrace conservation. Enterprises in place include bee keeping, fruits growing and crafts. So far 90 bee hives have been produced and are sited in Bujawe set aside forest. Several trainings have been done in apiary establishment, and beekeeping and honey harvesting and farmers were provided with equipment for honey harvesting. Plans are underway to roll out to Hoima District and entire Bunyoro area.
- Designing and production of forest conservation and awareness messages. Awareness materials on values of forests conservation (e.g. source of water) and linkages between agriculture and forests (e.g. pollination) have been developed for distribution to potential beneficiaries.
- Information generation, design and dissemination of conservation awareness materials. This has helped raising awareness on forests and fresh water ecosystems conservation not only in the project area but also in other areas.
Future outlook
- Designing of a long term ecosystems management plan for restoration of degraded forests and fresh water resources in Bunyoro area
- Exploring opportunities for Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) to benefit farmers involved in the restoration of degraded forests.