ENVIRONMENTAL   CONSERVATION

Environmental degradation in Uganda is happening mostly outside protected areas. Given  the vastness of the country and the  infrastructure, it is very difficult to monitor what is happening in rural areas. It is in these areas, where people are still directly dependant on natural resources for survival, where conservation programs are most needed. Rwenzori child care initative is currently operating in an area covered by  people’s residence where there is a great problem of  Environmental Degradation.  Once the tree cover is removed the nutrients in the soil are rapidly washed away and fertility is lost within 3 to 5 years. 

As more and more land is cleared, soil erosion problems emerge, rain patterns change and the water sources start to dry out. All of these has, in turn, an impact in agricultural outputs and in the quality of life of the communities. This is a vicious cycle that is very common in rural areas in developing countries such as Uganda. To stop this situation it is important to find an equilibrium between human needs and use of natural resources that is beneficial for both parties.   

The main objectives of the conservation programs are:  Completely stop deforestation in our private area and start a reforestation program  Use this area as a laboratory for reforestation techniques and to determine viable species  Determine the main causes of the deforestation of the areas that belong to the community  Through bee keeping provide incentives to reforestation and forest conservation  Look for viable alternatives to slash and burn agriculture  Establish a monitoring program for forest recovery  Determine indicator species of ecosystem’s health and do periodical surveys in order to evaluate the impact of the project over time