Policy makers can save our natural resources
SCHOLARS, environmentalists and scientists have written about the quandary facing Uganda's natural resources.
Our lakes, especially Victoria and forests, like Mabira, which is currently facing a degazetting threat, serve as an immediate example of the how futile the conservation war is.
The government has degazetted a number of other forest reserves before like Towa, Banga and Namanve land that is now the home of Coca-Cola and the Butamira companies.
The threat facing natural resources is not only depressing but also a symptom of much bigger problems and questions that need to be answered by government decision makers.
The value and importance of our natural resources cannot be over emphasised; they are well known to the people of Uganda, rural and urban alike.
For example, the Buganda clan system, which has been in place since time immemorial, forest dwellers like the Ik in northern Uganda and the Batwa in the southwest have always exploited natural resources sustainably.
These natural resources were used by our forefathers for different purposes such as fishing, medicine or cultural rites and much of the heritage survived due to such traditional and historical attachments to nature.
Most of these users were not anywhere near being rocket scientists or legislators, but they were well aware of the dynamics and the importance of Mother Nature.
However, the value of natural resources continues to decrease as politicians and policy makers replace our richly varied ecosystems with development packages like manufacturing industries.
It is not reasonable to cherish development to such a level that it supersedes the value of a healthy environment.
Reference: http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/09102006/Opinion/Opinion0910200612.htm
Our lakes, especially Victoria and forests, like Mabira, which is currently facing a degazetting threat, serve as an immediate example of the how futile the conservation war is.
The government has degazetted a number of other forest reserves before like Towa, Banga and Namanve land that is now the home of Coca-Cola and the Butamira companies.
The threat facing natural resources is not only depressing but also a symptom of much bigger problems and questions that need to be answered by government decision makers.
The value and importance of our natural resources cannot be over emphasised; they are well known to the people of Uganda, rural and urban alike.
For example, the Buganda clan system, which has been in place since time immemorial, forest dwellers like the Ik in northern Uganda and the Batwa in the southwest have always exploited natural resources sustainably.
These natural resources were used by our forefathers for different purposes such as fishing, medicine or cultural rites and much of the heritage survived due to such traditional and historical attachments to nature.
Most of these users were not anywhere near being rocket scientists or legislators, but they were well aware of the dynamics and the importance of Mother Nature.
However, the value of natural resources continues to decrease as politicians and policy makers replace our richly varied ecosystems with development packages like manufacturing industries.
It is not reasonable to cherish development to such a level that it supersedes the value of a healthy environment.
Reference: http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/09102006/Opinion/Opinion0910200612.htm
posted by Netreneur at 2:00 AM
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