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The district is providing alternative means of livelihood so people can permanently leave the wetlands
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By Our Reporter
In an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change, the Department of Natural Resources of Sheema District, under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has provided alternative livelihoods to former wetland encroachers in Sheema North Constituency. This initiative aims to halt wetland degradation and promote sustainable living.
In 2014, over 120 families were evicted from the Nyakambu-Kooga wetland, a stretch that runs from Buhweju to Sheema District. On September 10th, Patrick Turyatunga Boaz, the district’s Natural Resources Officer, distributed seeds including maize, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, and climbing beans to the evicted families. Turyatunga stated that the government will also supply goats, pigs, fish ponds, beehives, cows, poultry, and irrigation systems to these communities.
“These families voluntarily left the wetlands, and we are providing the livelihood projects they identified themselves. We are still procuring animals, but I assure you that everything you selected will be provided,” Turyatunga explained.
Residents were given alternative livelihoods for willingly vacating the wetlands
He also noted that the district has so far restored 12,000 hectares of the 20,000 hectares of Nyakambu-Kooga wetland that had been encroached upon.
Muhammad Musisi, the Sheema District Secretary for Works, Water, and Natural Resources, emphasized that these alternative livelihood projects aim to curb wetland degradation, which has caused floods, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures.
“The district is providing alternative means of livelihood so people can permanently leave the wetlands,” Musisi stated.
Robert Matsiko, the LC5 Councillor for Masheruka Town, welcomed the initiative, calling it a positive step towards environmental conservation.
“This government gesture gives people a reason to appreciate the importance of protecting the environment,” Matsiko said.
Part of the restored wetland in Nyakambuward Masheruka Town
Community efforts to restore wetlands
Residents of Nyakambu Ward in Masheruka Town Council, through their association—the Masheruka Wetland Restoration Association—have taken it upon themselves to restore the degraded Nyakambu-Kooga wetland system, which feeds into River Rwizi. Led by their chairperson, Julius Tumusiime, the group has successfully restored 800 hectares of swamp and continues to educate the community on the dangers of wetland degradation. “We have been sensitizing villagers to protect the swamp from re-encroachment,” Tumusiime said.
The combined efforts of the government and local communities represent a hopeful step towards reversing the effects of wetland degradation and fostering sustainable development in Sheema District.
Torch Media Africa
