Kagombe Central Forest Reserve is a 301-square-kilometre (74,000-acre) forest reserve located in Western Uganda's district of Kagadi and Nyamarundu sub county.[2][3][4][5] It is also located in Uganda's Albertine Rift ecoregion area renowned for its rich biodiversity.[6]
| Kagombe Central Forest Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Kagombe forest | |
  Location within Uganda | |
| Location | Western Region, Uganda |
| Nearest city | Kagadi |
| Coordinates | 0°50′31″N 30°47′46″E / 0.842°N 30.796°E |
| Area | 301 km2 (116 sq mi) |
| Governing body | National Forestry Authority (NFA) |
Conservation Status
editKagombe forest reserve was designated in 1932[5] and is managed by Uganda's National Forestry Authority (NFA).[2] It is home to different flora and fauna including chimpanzees.[7] Other species in the forest include Elgon Olive, Preminor Angoles, Macamia platicalex, Ebony and Abezia.[5] In 2019, NFA evicted encroachers from Kagombe Forest Reserve to support restoration of Uganda's forest cover and ensure conservation of protected areas.[4][8][9] In 2022, the NFA in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature, Uganda launched a forest restoration drive for Kagombe and Bugoma forest reserves.[10][11][12]
Threats
editThe forest reserve is threatened by encroachment, charcoal burning, crop raiding, forest fires, illegal pitsawing and medicinal plant collection.[4][7][13][14] Hunting of bush meat with dogs and nets in Kagombe Forest is prevalent since the forest is less intensively visited by staff.[14] Chimpanzees in Kagombe are affected by indiscriminate effects of snaring using spears and bows.[14] In the previous decade, agribusiness has devastated nearly three-quarters of Kagombe Central Forest Reserve. Since 2000, over 13000-hectares of Kagombe forest has been encroached on by locals in Kagadi district.[4][15][16] Some local communities have joined together to counteract the effects of climate change through afforestation and patrolling.[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Protected Area Profile for Kagombe Forest Reserve from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Kagombe Forest Reserve (Uganda) | eConservation". econservation.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "Conservation of Biodiversity in the Albertine Rift Forest Areas of Uganda | eConservation". econservation.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ a b c d Tumusiime, A. (2013, April). NFA gives encroachers four months ultimatum to vacate Forest Reserve. https://ugandaradionetwork.net. https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/nfa-gives-encroachers-four-months-ultimatum-to-vacate-forest-reserve
- ^ a b c "Kagombe Forest is being depleted to cultivate food crops – Tuck Magazine". 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Plumptre, Andrew J.; Davenport, Tim R. B.; Behangana, Mathias; Kityo, Robert; Eilu, Gerald; Ssegawa, Paul; Ewango, Corneille; Meirte, Danny; Kahindo, Charles; Herremans, Marc; Peterhans, Julian Kerbis; Pilgrim, John D.; Wilson, Malcolm; Languy, Marc; Moyer, David (2007-01-01). "The biodiversity of the Albertine Rift". Biological Conservation. Conservation in Areas of High Population Density in Sub-Saharan Africa. 134 (2): 178–194. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.08.021. ISSN 0006-3207.
- ^ a b "Uganda: Wildlife in Trouble As Protected Areas Become Time-Bomb Islands". Save the Elephants. 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "NFA evicts encroachers from Kagombe forest reserve". Monitor. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Musoke, Ronald (2021-04-26). "Race on to restore Uganda's forests". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "WWF launches forests restoration drive in Kagadi, Kibaale". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "WWF Kick-Starts Second Phase of Woodlot Restoration". www.wwfuganda.org. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Javira, Ssebwami (2022-07-19). "WWF in drive to restore degraded Kagombe, Bugoma Forest Reserves". PML Daily. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Kugonza, Pius (June 2019). Contributions of Kagombe Central Forest Reserve to livelihoods of people in Muhoro sub county, Kagadi district (Thesis thesis). Makerere University.
- ^ a b c Plumptre A.J., Cox, D. & Mugume, S. (2003) The Status of Chimpanzees in Uganda. Albertine Rift Technical Report Series No. 2. Wildlife Conservation Society
- ^ "Kagadi locals encroach on 13,000 hectares of Kagombe forest". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Asaba, Reacheal (2018-10-30). "Encroachment and eviction of local communities from Kagombe Central forest reserve, Kibaale District".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Restoring Uganda's forest to combat climate change". wwf.panda.org. Retrieved 2023-05-26.