Kigezi Leaders Warn of Disappearing Bamboo in Echuya Forest

Concerns are mounting among local leaders in the Kigezi sub-region regarding the diminishing bamboo forests in Echuya Forest Reserve. This vital ecosystem, spanning over 3,400 hectares across Kisoro and Rubanda districts, has historically been defined by its bamboo dominance.

Recent observations indicate that bamboo stands are being encroached upon by other tree species. This shift is impacting the forest’s iconic wildlife, with species like monkeys and baboons, once commonly seen, now appearing less frequently. Leaders are urging for immediate government intervention to preserve the bamboo.

Joseph Nizeye Wa-Senkoko, LCIII chairperson of Kanaba sub-county, emphasized the bamboo’s crucial role in water conservation, feeding numerous streams that flow into Lake Bunyonyi. He called for a concerted effort to replant bamboo, warning that its extinction could lead to water shortages and the disappearance of wildlife dependent on it, as well as a blow to tourism.

Haruna Mutabazi, vice chairperson of the Muko Sub-county CFM committee in Rubanda, pointed fingers at illegal harvesting by investors developing tourism facilities and an alleged lack of oversight from the National Forestry Authority (NFA). He appealed for stricter measures to halt the unchecked removal of bamboo.

Stuart Maniraguha, Executive Director of NFA, acknowledged the loss, attributing about 30% reduction to natural succession, where bamboo, a type of grass, struggles to grow under a dense forest canopy. He stated that NFA has initiated sustainable harvesting and management practices, including pruning and thinning, since 2021/2022 to encourage new growth and preserve remaining pure bamboo zones.

The NFA is focusing on restoring specific areas, having managed to restore around 80 hectares in Rubanda district in the 2023/2024 period, alongside efforts to clear invasive climbers from existing bamboo stands. Maniraguha stressed that controlled harvesting is essential to maintain the bamboo’s presence, contrasting this with strict closure which he believes would accelerate its natural disappearance through ecological succession.

Furthermore, Kabale University and NFA have partnered to establish a research station in Echuya, aiming to bolster conservation efforts through long-term monitoring, research, and practical training. This initiative is expected to delve into the reasons behind the changing forest composition and inform conservation strategies.

This article was compiled from reports by the Daily Monitor.