|
Save Elgon Forest — Museveni
By Vision Reporter
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has rejected a government plan to reduce forest land cover on Mount Elgon before it is verified by the National environment Management Authority (NEMA), a state house release said on Friday.
While meeting a team from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Mbale, Museveni warned that cutting the forest would destabilise the ecological system.
The forest, straddling Mount Elgon and its ranges, is a water catchment area sustaining the region. The UWA team that was led by industry minister Janat Mukwaya told Museveni that they wanted to cede 7500 hectares for human settlement on Mount Elgon.
Museveni, however, noted that he must be convinced that reducing forest cover will not affect the ecological system of the country. He warned government officials against succumbing to public pressure.
“We should tell our people that their livelihood depends on these forests. The forests help in creating rain. We will not compromise on this. We can relocate people to other areas,” he said.
He said before a forest is destroyed for any purpose, NEMA must present a logical and scientific explanation.
UWA proposed that some areas in Mbale and Kapchorwa could be released for human settlement, especially those with permanent homesteads.
The team said that although in some areas the settlements went beyond the allocated land which was done in the 1980s by the UPC government, the people can be prevented from further encroachment. The Uganda Wildlife Authority team suggested that some people can be allowed to plant trees which can protect the environment while providing income to them at the same time.
President Museveni told the team that the reason he declared Mt. Elgon and Mt. Rwenzori National Parks respectively was because there was need to protect both the animals and the trees. Therefore, he said, these areas which form the source of rivers as well their immediate surroundings must be jealously protected.
“You are not an authority on the environment. Let us consult NEMA before your plan can be implemented”, he said.
Minister Janat Mukwaya admitted that some local politicians were under pressure from the population. She, however, gave an elaborate plan that her Ministry had done and agreed with the President that there was need to involve NEMA.
Meanwhile the President has met an international coffee marketing team which is helping the people of Kapchorwa to improve value addition to coffee.
The President met in Mbale Mr. Daniel C. Clay of the Institute of Agriculture in the University of Michigan in USA who was part of a team led by State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mr. Aston Kajara.
The team told the President that the project is intended to improve on value addition to the area’s farmers. The team operates in Kapchorwa and Mbale areas.
Mr. Clay told the President that his team has already helped farmers in other countries like Rwanda, Burundi and Nicaragua.
According to Mr. Clay, farmers are taught how to wash their coffee beans, modern methods of de-husking and storage as well as packaging. He says that if the project succeeds and with expected increase in production, international coffee buyers will be mobilized to go to the area to buy coffee. He explained that this will increase the money farmers get.
In the same team was Janet Storton from USA who is running a vocational training for widows and orphans in Karamoja. She said that the products are sold in USA and money raised will be channeled to the widows and orphans.
State Minister Aston Kajara told the President that the group had done commendable work in the region. He said that government should come in to augment their efforts.
State Minister for Privatisation Mrs. Rukia Chekamondo reported that most of the coffee washing facilities that were put up in 1960s are in bad shape adding that government should assist in rehabilitating them.
President Museveni thanked the group and pledged assistance through NAADS. He said that coffee production will be boosted in the region.
Published on: Saturday, 9th August, 2008
|
