Thursday, January 17, 2013

Riots Happening in Mabira Forest Reserve


One of the forests (Mabira on the map to the left) that I will be studying has currently ungone hostile take over by neighboring sugar cane farmers. The Mabira Forest reserve is the largest of the four forest reserves at 32,000 hectares.  It is located east of Kampala and is a semi-deciduous forest with hills and valleys containing papyrus swamps.   Although a forest reserve since 1932, the Ugandan government and foreign developers have pushed plans to clear-cut of one-third of the land for a sugar cane plantation.  Although an on going battle, politic unrest has not occurred since 1997. In addition, the forest has been the site of illegal loggers. Fuel, needed for everyday life, is sparse in Uganda.  Large trees are often harvested and made into charcoal- a primary source of heat in Uganda. 
Finding the balance between preservation, sustainability, and human life continues to be complicated. I am hoping that the baseline data I collect, and the ideas about water quality that Julie communicates to the area youth and stake holders, with help highlight the need for green space and its conservation. 

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