NTUNGAMO LEADERS EMBARK ON WETLAND RESTORATION

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Ntungamo—

Ntungamo district leaders have embarked on a move to restore over 200Km­­­2 of depleted wetland space that was encroached on during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Ntungamo district natural resources Officer Ms. Dinah Tumwebaze says over 60% of the wetlands in the district have been encroached on.

3.4% of the total land area of 2051Km2 of Ntungamo district is gazetted wetlands with other 0.2% being open water.

Ms. Tumwebaze says the depletion of wetlands also threatens water sources in the district.

On Friday , officials led by the district Vice Chairman Mr. Asuman Kigongo who is also the secretary for production started the restoration of the upper Nyaruteme wetland in Itojo Sub County where over 400 hectares had been turned into farmland with Eucalyptus trees, potatoes, sorghum gardens

The leaders involved locals some of whom were among the encroachers, to restore the wetland by covering trenches and cutting down the grown Eucalyptus trees.

The Itojo sub county councilor Mr. Densi Muhumuza Savimbi said the restoration will not spare any of the big personalities involved in destroying the wetlands.

Mr Kigongo said all the wetlands in the district must be restored to prevent climate change challenges.

The Nyaruteme Wetland is the known source of River Rwizi that has over the years been reducing in water quantities due to invasion of sources and river banks

www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106