NFA restores 60% of destroyed Kagombe forest reserve
Kagombe Forest Reserve sits on 17,751 hectares, of which 80% was depleted by encroachers by 2017.
Kagadi: The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has revealed that 60% out of 80% of the destroyed Kagombe forest reserve in Kagadi district has been restored.
This was disclosed Tuesday by Mr. Boaz Basigirenda, the NFA Range Manager for Budongo Forest in Bunyoro subregion, during a stakeholder’s meeting held at Kamukore C.O.U. in Kamukore Village, Ngoma Parish, Bwikara Subcounty, Kagadi District.
According to Basigirenda, Kagombe Forest Reserve sits on 17,751 hectares, of which 80% was depleted by encroachers by 2017.
However, Basigirenda was glad to inform stakeholders that, through the Investment in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development program (IFPACID) being funded by the World Bank, at least 60% of the depleted Kagombe forest has since been restored.
He said this program aims at promoting eco-tourism, promoting the livelihood of forest hosting communities, and creating forest infrastructure like roads in forests and visitor information centers.
Titus Akora from Wild Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) under the Forest Regeneration for Enhanced Carbon Absorption Project (FRECA) revealed that they have in the past two years restored 726 hectares of Kagombe forest reserve and are committed to also restoring more 600 hectares this year.
Lillian Ruteraho, the RDC Kagadi who chaired the meeting, appreciated the efforts exhibited by the National Forestry Authority and its partners in the restoration of Kagombe Forest.
Semuga Vincent, the LC5 Vice Chairman for Kagadi, applauded the community members for collaborating with the NFA in restoring the forest cover.
He also commended the NRM government for being a pro-people government by giving back projects to the former forest encroachers.
Meanwhile, led by Bwikara Sub-County LC3 Chairman Godad Tumwebaze, locals thanked the NFA and its partners for their corporate social responsibility role as far as the restoration of the forest is concerned.
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