Urbanisation poses threat to environment in Buhweju

JENINAH NABUKEERA              

Rapid urbanisation and exploitation of resources is posing a challenge to many districts’ efforts at conserving the environment.

Now, Buhweju local government has reached out to the central government, requesting for an increase in budgetary allocation to the district’s environment and natural resources department.

This, it is hoped will help the district regain its fading glory.

Buhweju was one of the districts curved out of Bushenyi in 2010.

More than 80% of the land here is hilly with the highlands formed as a result of volcanicity and faulting.

The district is well endowed with natural resources that stretch from arable land, forests, wetlands, gold deposits, sand and tin among others.

Buhweju has prided in these resources over time although this is rapidly changing. The district is still a food basket although this might not last long.

The district wetland systems are critical for the catchment of rivers, Rwizi, Katonga and Lake Edward. But despite their vital functions, they have been heavily encroached on

Buhweju is witnessing changing climate and its effects. The district now receives unpredicted rainfall.

This is attributed to opening land for farming, grazing, infilling for establishment of development plots in urban areas, excavation for brick laying, sand and gold mining as well as planting of alien plant species.

The process of natural resources loss and degradation undermines the capacity of natural ecosystems to provide valuable ecosystem services such as water supply, flood control, carbon storage, biodiversity retention of sediment and greatly contribute to global warming and climate change.

There have been efforts by the district to arrest the perpetuators although little can be shown out of these efforts.  The culprits are released immediately they reach police with no charges placed against them.

Access to some areas is complicated due to the rugged topography, lack of proper means of transport and limited funds allocated to the environment department to implement planned activities.

The department of environment and natural resources receives only Shs 6.2 million as its annual budgetary allocation.

This, officials argue, is not enough to implement a quarter of the planned activities.

The district sought help from environmentalists and the environment watch dog NEMA.

Through this, wetlands such as Kibimba, Kamira, Kyenzogyera, Kyairungu have been restored as well as the planting of over 20,000 tree seedlings this financial year.