Kampala — THE Nakivubo wetland alone, saves the government $1.7million a year in treating water, a leading environmental expert revealed yesterday in Kampala.

The Environmental Information System Specialist of the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) Ms Mary Gorreti Kimono, called on everybody to guard wetlands jealously said, "If well managed wetlands can also control floods and contribute to the underground hydrology (water system), " she said.

Wetlands are naturally gifted with soil and vegetation that filters water through processes scientifically referred to as filtration and sedimentation. During these processes, larger particles are trapped in the media after which they settle to the bed as sediments, as water flows through.

According to the environmental economist of Nema Mr Ronald Kagwa, their research reveals that the annual direct production value of wetlands range between U$$300 - 600 per hectare.

Nema's senior economist Mr Eugine Muramira said that the lead agency arrived at the figures after vigorous research.