Kibale National Park (KNP), a sprawling 775-square-kilometer expanse in Uganda, has faced its share of hurdles.
Like many protected areas, it wrestled with illegal logging and encroachment in the past – a period of struggle that eventually ended in 1992. Before 1993, KNP fell under the Forest Department, whose primary focus was timber production, leading to the establishment of exotic tree plantations in the 1950s and 60s.
However, after the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) assumed management, this shifted. Exotic plantations were cleared, making way for natural regeneration, with exceptions for intensive reforestation efforts near Mainaro, where invasive species like elephant grass stifled natural growth. This history underscores the need to carefully evaluate forest restoration strategies, a topic not yet extensively studied.
Enter the Kibale Forest Restoration Project – a collaborative effort spearheaded by UWA, initially with Face the Future and now Primaklima, alongside other carbon impact partners.
Since 1994, the ambitious restoration project has planted over 1.5 million indigenous trees – akin to creating a new mini-forest annually. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about revitalizing a vital ecosystem.
The project’s impact is multifaceted. Think of the forest as a massive carbon sponge, absorbing vast quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) – a single hectare sequesters approximately 23 tonnes.
The restored forest has significantly boosted this capacity, acting as a crucial buffer against climate change.
Richard Kigenyi, the UWA Warden for Forest Restoration at Kibale, aptly summarizes it as a “game-changer,” noting the restoration of over 8,000 hectares in the last three decades.
But the benefits extend far beyond carbon sequestration.
The project employs over 500 people, providing crucial economic opportunities for local communities.
Kigenyi highlights year-round employment, with at least 250 workers engaged even outside peak restoration seasons.
“For sustainable practices in the forest, over 500 people per operation work here, from planting the forest to protecting it. Even in off-peak seasons, 250 workers are registered. Imagine everyone earning money for 12 months – that’s a full year of pay,” Kigenyi told the Nile Post.
This economic injection has improved access to necessities like food, healthcare, and education, transforming lives.
The restored forest has also become an eco-tourism draw, attracting visitors to its rejuvenated beauty and rich biodiversity, including over 350 bird species, four wildcat species, at least 350 tree species, and more than 13 primate species.
The return of animals previously threatened by habitat degradation, like elephants and chimpanzees, is particularly heartwarming for Kigenyi.
Carbon selling is done through a process where carbon credits are generated by restoring the forest, which absorbs carbon dioxide emissions.
These credits are then sold to companies and individuals looking to offset their emissions, providing a sustainable income source for the project and local communities.
Carbon offsetting enables entities to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that reduce, avoid, or remove emissions elsewhere.
Once certified by a government or independent body, these credits – each representing the reduction, avoidance, or removal of one metric tonne of CO2 can be traded. For every tree planted, restored, and maintained by locals, income is generated.
Kigenyi notes that the project trades one tonne of carbon at 1.5 euros.
Standard measurements by experts, including tree health, length, width, and height, determine the valuation.
The financial model is equally ingenious. Revenue from carbon credits is split – 50% goes to investors, 35% is reinvested in the restoration project, and 15% benefits local communities through livelihood projects like beekeeping and goat rearing.
This ensures long-term sustainability and equitable distribution of benefits.
Additionally, the project has trained individuals in valuable forestry skills, from seed collection to tree maintenance, empowering them with supplementary income streams.
The environmental impact is staggering, equivalent to removing roughly 300,000 cars from the road annually.
Beyond carbon absorption, the project mitigates soil erosion, improves water quality, and significantly boosts biodiversity.
Collaboration is key to this success. The project exemplifies the power of partnerships between local communities, government agencies, and international organizations working toward a shared vision.
David Ngabirano, Local Council I Chairperson of Isunga Central, Kasenda Sub-county, Kabarole District, credits UWA’s restoration and livelihood projects with changing community mindsets and fostering conservation efforts while creating sustainable income.
“We thank UWA, the World Bank, and Face for engaging our people, especially those from less privileged households. People who once thought of cutting trees now go to the forest to earn money and get medicine,” he said.
One of UWA’s livelihood projects, the energy-saving cook stove initiative, has been transformative.
The innovative stoves enable households to cook with less firewood, reducing the need to cut trees in the forest and limiting human-wildlife interaction.
Scovia Mweteise, a resident of Kyakabuzi Village, Rurama Parish, Ruteete Sub-county in Kabarole District, is a beneficiary.
“I use this cook stove, and it saves firewood. The stove has helped me reduce firewood consumption and smoke. It has two cooking spaces, allowing me to cook food and sauce simultaneously,” Mweteise said.
Despite the achievements, challenges remain. Kigenyi expressed concern over delays in implementing a carbon trading policy, hindering the project’s full potential.
While significant investment – over Shs 1 billion in the last three years – has been secured from various partners, a robust carbon trading policy is crucial for maximizing impact and ensuring financial viability.
“The sale of carbon is still low. The carbon policy is being worked on but should be prioritized. I urge authorities to finalize the carbon policy to enhance our bargaining power in the carbon market,” he said.
Additionally, community projects have received significant funding, around Shs 200 million, in the 2022/2023 financial year.
The Kibale Forest Restoration Project is not just a local triumph; it’s a global model demonstrating the transformative power of nature-based solutions in combating climate change.
It’s a compelling example of how ambitious conservation goals can be realized through community engagement, smart planning, and unwavering dedication.
The future looks bright for Kibale, with continued expansion promising even greater environmental and socio-economic gains.