Kibaale — Encroachers in Gurama Forest Reserve in Nkooko sub-county, Bugangaizi county have blocked the National Forestry Authority (NFA) officials from resurveying and demarcating it( forest reserve).

The district NFA Sector Manager, Mr Godet Aryatwihayo, disclosed this, in an interview with Daily monitor at his office on January 13.

"The encroachers have on three occasions blocked National Forestry Authority officials from resurveying and demarcating Gurama forest reserve," Aryatwihayo said.

He said the encroachers blocked the officials on November 15, 2005, December 15, 2005 and January 5, 2006.

"The encroachers threatened to lynch NFA officials if they went on to resurvey and demarcate the forest reserve," Aryatwihayo said.

The encroachers confiscated the tools which the officials intended to use in the resurvey and demarcation.

He said the tools confiscated included pangas, hoes and slashers.

"The encroachers went on to destroy the eucalyptus tree seedlings which we intended to plant along the forest reserve boundaries," he said.

In June 2005, the NFA launched a national wide resurvey and demarcation exercise for all central forest reserves in the country.

The exercise is intended to demarcate the reserves by planting boundary marks.