Encroachment on crater lakes threatening tourism

KISEKKA EDWARD

The continued encroachment on land around several crater lakes in Rubirizi district is threatening the tourism industry.

Sector players say communities in Rubirizi have encroached on the land near crater lakes, cultivating crops, and rearing animals, which might affect the number of tourists visiting the area.

The encroachment on crater lakes in Rubirizi district continues to anger tourism sector players, who fear that human activities might affect tourism revenues.

Rubirizi is one of the districts with the huge volcanic explosion Crater lakes, which attract tourists.

The 32 crater lakes are all found in the western arm of the East African rift valley.

But these tourism features are now at risk because of the increasing human activities like crop cultivation around the lakes.

Thomas Nayima a tour guide at Queen Elizabeth National Park said farming activities are exposing the lakes to soil erosion. He said the communities around the lakes are not sensitised about the need to protect the crater lakes, yet part of the revenues is ploughed back into the communities.

Amos Wekesa, a tour operator said the tourism sector is at stake if nothing is done to address the problems that threaten tourism revenues.

Tourists who visit this very campsite are interested in seeing hippos, crater lakes and birds but this is no more because all tree have been cut down. Local tour companies like Fernando tours have come up with interventions by promoting local tours through trips, with intention to create awareness in communities neighbouring the crater lakes.