Kampala — Sixty one percent of the wetlands in Kumi district have been encroached upon. They have been modified and are no longer in their natural states, thereby changing their natural ecological conditions and functions.

According to the Kumi Wetlands Officer, Michael Bernard Ikanut, an inventory carried out in 1999 showed that Kumi has 34.7% wetland coverage, making it the fourth district in Uganda in wetland coverage.

He said the Kumi wetlands are not only of local importance, but also of national and international importance. The wetlands are Lakes Opeta and Bisina. They are stepping stones in the flyways for migratory birds. All the wetlands drain into Lake Kyoga.

Ikanut said: "There are birds from European and American, countries and have been found here. When conditions are harsh there, they migrate here."

He said encroachment into the wetlands started during the 1987-1992 rebellion in Teso. When the Iteso lost cattle, their main source of livelihood, people resorted to natural resources for survival. There was charcoal burning, timber cutting and firewood gathering and swamp cultivation. There was indiscriminate cutting of trees for sale.

Before the war, people had regard for their natural resources. They were using the fuel wood selectively, getting mainly dry ones for domestic use. Wetlands were being used for grazing, watering animals and fishing. It was a place where people collected traditional medicinal herbs. There was a demarcated area of about 100 metres and there was control. But during the war, people went on to cultivate massively into the wetlands and there was assumed ownership. Wetland rice became a commercial product.

Kumi district is the first to come up with wetland management plans in Uganda. Wetland degradation had caused water scarcity. The water table went down, rice yields became low, cattle had nowhere to graze and accessing the wetlands for livestock, was a problem.

Under the wetland management plan, which began in 2000 with Ojeico and Ojie wetlands, they agreed to mark areas for cattle tracks, cattle drawing points, the well radius and wetland reserve. The wetlands had silted. It was therefore necessary to de-silt the cattle watering points. Tree nurseries were also established in Ojie.

Ikanut said the Ojie people put aside sh200,000 in the first season for part of the seedlings they raised and bought some goats.

The district and sub-counties undertake mobilisation and technical support.

Wetlands Inspection Division in Kampala gave technical and financial support. Ikanut said There is now enough water for people in the surrounding areas.