Mukono — Illegal loggers have resumed felling trees in Mabira Forest following the reduction of forest guards by National Forest Association.

Najjembe LC3 Chairman, Mr Juma Isabirye, told The monitor at Mabira Forest on Wednesday that many guards had been retired by the Forestry Department to minimise costs.

"People have started rapid de-forestation for timber. Though it is the National Forest Association and Forestry Department responsible for the forest management, the sub-county has started sensitising locals on the dangers of tree cutting," he said.

According to Isabirye, there has been an introduction of Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) where by the residents around the forest participate in protecting it.