Addressing urban pressure on natural resources: CBNRM a viable sustainable approach and response by Ssi-Bukunja PGS Group in Buikwe district affiliated to Slow Food Uganda
The population explosion of communities within Lake Victoria catchment has led to increased degradation of the natural resources through cutting down trees, forest clearance for sugarcane growing and poor disposal of industrial wastes into the Lake. Managing natural resources like the forest reserves within the sub-county is challenging since most of them are central forest reserves leased by the NFA (National Forestry Authority) to powerful individuals who are not part of this community. These individuals clear the remaining indigenous trees in the degraded forest reserves for charcoal burning and replace them with exotic tree species such as eucalyptus and pine. These individuals are rich, powerful and threaten or use money to bribe weak local government leaders to further degrade the central forest reserves. This has raised concern from the sub-county leadership and the community members especially on the rate at which Bukuja forest reserve was cleared amidst the watch of the government leaders.
The follow-up visit by PELUM Uganda to the Ssi-Bukunja PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) Organic Link project highlighted the ongoing threat posed by powerful, non-community actors to natural resources within the Lake Victoria catchment, especially the Bukunja forest reserve. Despite efforts to implement the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) action plan, the unchecked clearing of forest reserves by land leasers driven by commercial interests in charcoal production and timber from exotic tree plantations has continued. This activity not only undermines local conservation initiatives but also accelerates environmental degradation, worsens climate-related risks (droughts, floods), and erodes the ecological balance vital to Lake Victoria’s long-term health.
The alternative measures for sustainable management of the natural resources were provided such as strengthening local governance and accountability structure by establishing a multi-stakeholder Natural Resource Management Committee at the sub-county level involving community leaders, CSOs like Slow Food Uganda, youth, women groups, and local council representatives. Developing pressure to district leadership to audit forest lease allocations and push for a moratorium on further clearing of indigenous forests until proper consultations are held, and to promote transparency in lease agreements between NFA and external actors, including public disclosure of lease terms and conditions.
Compiled by ASNRM Department – PELUM Uganda.
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