By Nantaba Lukia
Wetland encroachment by farmers and high market demand for the sale of Grey Crested Cranes have led to the decline of the national bird which has raised fear among environmentalists in the Kigezi Sub-Region.
The depletion of wetlands has forced the Crested Cranes to move to farmlands in search of food, putting them in conflict with farmers who kill them and even poach them for sale to the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and DR.Congo.
In Kigezi Sub-Region wetlands have been encroached on due to different farming activities.
Henry Mtifundinda, Programmes Manager Nature Uganda says that the wetlands have been encroached due to different farming activities and as a result crested cranes cross to farmlands which puts their lives at of poisoning.
He adds that sometimes the Crested Crane's chicks and eggs are stolen which greatly affects their population.
He also says that in 1980 the population of Cranes was over 100,000cranes in the Kigezi subregion but currently the population is at 10,000 to 20,000 which is worrying. He adds that they are worried about the extent to which the population of the Crested Cranes is declining.
Mfitundinda also says that the Crested Cranes are being stolen and taken to neighbouring countries of Rwanda and DR Congo for witchcraft and traditional use saying that such acts complicate the plight of a species with a seriously declining population.
He adds that the government should come up with tough measures on wetlands restoration in order to restore the plight of the cranes.
Jane Amumpire, the Natural Resources Officer in Rubanda District says that currently the rate at which the wetlands have been encroached on stands at 97% remaining with only 3% to face total degradation which is being attributed to increasing population and degradation of the catchment areas adding that with the high demand for food which forces them to do farming in the wetlands.
She adds that with the presidential initiative, they are looking at continuous sensitisation since communities know the roles of wetlands.
Amumpire adds currently it's hard to trace the Crested Cranes especially when there is cultivation all over they don't have where to stay, they only return when farmers are not farming thus they are being threatened and with time it will be depleted since it has nowhere to stay.
Henry Tumwesigye Natural Resources Officer Kabale District says that we need to take into consideration that wetlands act as a habitat for Crested Cranes adding that since they have lost 60%of the wetlands this means they have also lost 60% of the breeding grounds, especially the Crested Cranes since wetlands are the bleeding places for the cranes since it's where they lay eggs from.
He further adds that the rate at which the wetlands have been encroached on stands at 60% to human activities like crop production and brick lying.
Tumwesigye also says that since they have a clear presidential directive, they will embark on enforcement as leaders and make sure that whoever has encroached on the wetlands is evicted.
The President in his address last week sounded tough on the RDCs and parish chiefs to take action on whoever has encroached on the wetlands.
With its beauty, the Crested Crane was chosen in 1980's to act as a National bird on the Ugandan emblem.