Gerald Tenywa
23 December 2008
Kampala — THE Government has declared four national days for planting trees in order to restore the country's receding forest cover.
"The Cabinet has gazetted the World Forestry Day (March 21), International Women's day (March 8), Labour (May 1), and World Youth Day (August 12) as national tree planting days," said Jessica Eriyo, the state minister for environment.
She was speaking at Colline Hotel, Mukono during a meeting to discuss ways of averting the rampant destruction of forests and wetlands countrywide.
The meeting, organised by National Environment Authority, the National Forestry Authority and the environment ministry attracted over 200 participants including district leaders.
According to Eriyo, the country has two different weather patterns, so the four days would encourage planting of trees across the country.
"In a few years to come, we shall not be able to satisfy the energy demand. The country is running out of firewood and charcoal," she disclosed.
"Each family should plant a wood lot to save women and children from walking long distances while looking for firewood."
Damian Akankwasa, the executive director of forestry authority said the annual deforestation rate was about 3% (86,000 hectares), leaving less than 17% of Uganda's land covered by forests.
The environment minister Maria Mutagamba said local communities should be guided in practising agro-forestry, by planting trees like mutuba (ficus natalensis) with food crops.
The tree is widely used in making barkcloth in central Uganda. The leaves provide fodder for animals, particularly goats. The tree also provides firewood and mulch for crops like bananas.
"This tree grows in most parts of the country and it is easy to plant from a stem," said Mutagamba. "It is one of the multi-purpose trees planted in parts of Buganda."
Mutagamba advised district forestry officers to guide the population to plant trees. "I do not see the reason why people are using grass to cook and avoiding cooking food like beans that take long to get ready. People should plant mutuba," she said.
Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, the executive director of the National Environment Management Authority said rampant cutting of trees and reclamation of wetlands had led to silting of vital water bodies, destroying the breeding grounds of fish. He said this had led to malnutrition, especially in fishing communities.
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