The Uganda Atlas

NEMA 2009

Oliver Van straaten

Katuugo Forest Reserve planted by National Forestry Authority (NFA), Nakasongola District (2008)

Budongo forest at “Mailo kumi”, along the Masindi – Paraa Road via Kichumbanyobo Gate (2002)

Generally forest resources in Uganda offer a wide range of non- timber products and services; they provide various ecological functions such as watershed protection, erosion control, wind breaks, climate amelioration and carbon sequestration. Uganda’s forests are a habitat to a diverse range of animal and plant species that are a potential for eco-tourism attraction. Some of these species are endemic; others are rare or threatened, while others are important as national heritage. Uganda’s tropical high forests in particular are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the tropical world. About 20,000 plant species are known to exist. Due to their diversity in food and habitat, Uganda’s forests are also rich in bird life. For example, over 1,000 bird species have been listed in the country of which 33% are entirely found in forest areas. Also Uganda’s forests

support such rare species as the mountain gorilla ( Gorilla gorrilla berengei ), found in Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga forests of which only about 600 are known to exist in the whole world, with this part of the world being their only habitat. There are numerous threats to forests and consequently, the rapid shrinkage of forest estate and demise of the forest resources in Uganda. These include among others: rapid population growth leading to increased demand for land, food and energy, and hence rapid clearance of forests; unsustainable harvesting of the forest products and the degradation of the resource base; encroachment on gazetted forest reserves by surrounding communities; and urbanization, and industrial growth which are particularly putting pressure on peri- urban forests.

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