New Vision (Kampala)

Uganda: Masindi Forests Face Extinction, Says District Official

By Kyetume Kasanga, 17 May 2006

Kampala — Nearly 13 hectares of tree cover are lost daily to land and forest users in Masindi, threatening to wipe out the tree population in the next 16 years.

The district forest officer, Simon Biryetega, said urgent measures were needed to restore the forests.

Addressing stakeholders on Thursday, Biryetega said the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) commissioned a study which revealed the findings.

"According to recent findings by GTZ, 12.5 hectares are lost everyday in this district alone, and there will be no tree cover 16 years from now if harvesting continues with no measures to rejuvenate the environment," Biryetega said.

This was during a district leaders' familiarisation tour of the National Forestry Authority activities in Nyangahya, Pakanyi and Budongo.

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