Kagombe Central Forest Reserve

Kagombe Central Forest Reserve is a 301-square-kilometre (74,000-acre) forest reserve located in Western Uganda's district of Kagadi and Nyamarundu sub county.[2][3][4][5] It is also located in Uganda's Albertine Rift ecoregion area renowned for its rich biodiversity.[6]

Kagombe Central Forest Reserve
Kagombe forest
Map showing the location of Kagombe Central Forest Reserve
Map showing the location of Kagombe Central Forest Reserve
Location within Uganda
LocationWestern Region, Uganda
Nearest cityKagadi
Coordinates0°50′31″N 30°47′46″E / 0.842°N 30.796°E / 0.842; 30.796
Area301 km2 (116 sq mi)
Governing bodyNational Forestry Authority (NFA)

Conservation Status

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Kagombe forest reserve was designated in 1932[5] and is managed by Uganda's National Forestry Authority (NFA).[2] It is home to different flora and fauna including chimpanzees.[7] Other species in the forest include Elgon Olive, Preminor Angoles, Macamia platicalex, Ebony and Abezia.[5] In 2019, NFA evicted encroachers from Kagombe Forest Reserve to support restoration of Uganda's forest cover and ensure conservation of protected areas.[4][8][9] In 2022, the NFA in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature, Uganda launched a forest restoration drive for Kagombe and Bugoma forest reserves.[10][11][12]

Threats

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The forest reserve is threatened by encroachment, charcoal burning, crop raiding, forest fires, illegal pitsawing and medicinal plant collection.[4][7][13][14] Hunting of bush meat with dogs and nets in Kagombe Forest is prevalent since the forest is less intensively visited by staff.[14] Chimpanzees in Kagombe are affected by indiscriminate effects of snaring using spears and bows.[14] In the previous decade, agribusiness has devastated nearly three-quarters of Kagombe Central Forest Reserve. Since 2000, over 13000-hectares of Kagombe forest has been encroached on by locals in Kagadi district.[4][15][16] Some local communities have joined together to counteract the effects of climate change through afforestation and patrolling.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Protected Area Profile for Kagombe Forest Reserve from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Kagombe Forest Reserve (Uganda) | eConservation". econservation.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  3. ^ "Conservation of Biodiversity in the Albertine Rift Forest Areas of Uganda | eConservation". econservation.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  4. ^ a b c d Tumusiime, A. (2013, April). NFA gives encroachers four months ultimatum to vacate Forest Reserve. https://ugandaradionetwork.net. https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/nfa-gives-encroachers-four-months-ultimatum-to-vacate-forest-reserve
  5. ^ a b c "Kagombe Forest is being depleted to cultivate food crops – Tuck Magazine". 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  6. ^ Plumptre, Andrew J.; Davenport, Tim R. B.; Behangana, Mathias; Kityo, Robert; Eilu, Gerald; Ssegawa, Paul; Ewango, Corneille; Meirte, Danny; Kahindo, Charles; Herremans, Marc; Peterhans, Julian Kerbis; Pilgrim, John D.; Wilson, Malcolm; Languy, Marc; Moyer, David (2007-01-01). "The biodiversity of the Albertine Rift". Biological Conservation. Conservation in Areas of High Population Density in Sub-Saharan Africa. 134 (2): 178–194. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.08.021. ISSN 0006-3207.
  7. ^ a b "Uganda: Wildlife in Trouble As Protected Areas Become Time-Bomb Islands". Save the Elephants. 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  8. ^ "NFA evicts encroachers from Kagombe forest reserve". Monitor. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  9. ^ Musoke, Ronald (2021-04-26). "Race on to restore Uganda's forests". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  10. ^ "WWF launches forests restoration drive in Kagadi, Kibaale". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  11. ^ "WWF Kick-Starts Second Phase of Woodlot Restoration". www.wwfuganda.org. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  12. ^ Javira, Ssebwami (2022-07-19). "WWF in drive to restore degraded Kagombe, Bugoma Forest Reserves". PML Daily. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  13. ^ Kugonza, Pius (June 2019). Contributions of Kagombe Central Forest Reserve to livelihoods of people in Muhoro sub county, Kagadi district (Thesis thesis). Makerere University.
  14. ^ a b c Plumptre A.J., Cox, D. & Mugume, S. (2003) The Status of Chimpanzees in Uganda. Albertine Rift Technical Report Series No. 2. Wildlife Conservation Society
  15. ^ "Kagadi locals encroach on 13,000 hectares of Kagombe forest". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  16. ^ Asaba, Reacheal (2018-10-30). "Encroachment and eviction of local communities from Kagombe Central forest reserve, Kibaale District". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ "Restoring Uganda's forest to combat climate change". wwf.panda.org. Retrieved 2023-05-26.