Gerald Tenywa
22 May 2009
Kampala — UGANDA is one of the countries whose economic growth rate has been increasing at the expense of the environment, top wildlife experts have said.
Dr. Andrew Seguya, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), said on Tuesday that increased economic growth does not match with sustainable use of the natural resources.
Seguya was one of the participants at a four-day conservation conference at Imperial Resort Hotel in Entebbe.
The meeting, under the theme 'community conservation and sustainable livelihoods', has drawn managers of zoos across Africa.
The topics for discussion ranged from animal welfare, research, education, environmental conservation to water and sanitation as well as best practices for zoos and aquaria.
Uganda's economic growth rate has been estimated between 5% and 10% in the last 10 years.
"Without better environmental stewardship, sustainable development is likely to be undermined," Seguya said. He added that there was need for more integration of environmental issues into all aspects and levels of development.
Seguya proposed that poor people must be able to participate in this growth, both by participating in zoo, aquaria and other protected areas service delivery and the promotion of tourism through employment.
He also said the deliberations in the conference will contribute to the achievement of the various Millennium Development Goals in the African region.
The Chairperson of the UWEC board, Douglas Lugumya said the conference was timely and that the discussions would seek viable solutions to the enormous environmental problems such as food security and poverty.
Trade minister Kahinda Otafiire, while opening the meeting, said it was a noble cause given that environmental degradation was increasing globally. "Land users appear unaware of the environmentally sustainable methods and practices, thereby resulting in deforestation, degradation of the soil, vegetation, water resources and wildlife."
He added: "We need to work hard to teach better environmental practices to avert like global warming."
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