Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve is a forested area located in Wakiso District, Uganda. The reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. However, in recent years, it has faced various threats and challenges, including sand mining, fish ponds, and encroachment by licensed tree planters. [1]
Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve is situated in the Central Region of Uganda, specifically in Wakiso District. It covers a substantial area and serves as an important natural habitat for diverse flora and fauna. The reserve is known for its lush vegetation, wildlife species, and ecological services.[ citation needed ]
One of the major threats to Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve is illegal sand mining. The extraction of sand from the reserve has caused significant environmental degradation, including erosion, loss of habitat, and disruption of natural waterways. Sand mining activities have not only affected the forest ecosystem but also nearby communities relying on the forest for various resources. [2]
Another issue plaguing Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve is the establishment of fish ponds within its boundaries. Some individuals have encroached upon the reserve, converting parts of it into fish farming areas. This encroachment has led to the destruction of forested areas and disruption of the natural balance of the ecosystem. [2]
In an effort to address the encroachment and degradation of Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has issued eviction orders to licensed tree planters who have encroached upon the reserve. The NFA aims to reclaim the degraded forest land and restore it to its original state. These measures are part of the broader conservation efforts to protect the forest's ecological integrity. [3]
Recognizing the importance of Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve, there have been initiatives to restore and conserve the forest's natural resources. The NFA, along with other environmental organizations and government agencies, is working towards restoring the degraded areas, implementing sustainable management practices, and raising awareness about the importance of forest conservation. [4]
Today, forest and woodland cover in Uganda stands at 49,000 km2 or 24% of the total land area. Of these 9,242.08 km2 is tropical rainforest, 350.60 km2 are forest plantations and 39,741.02 km2 is woodland. 30% of these areas are protected as national parks, wildlife reserves or central forest reserves.
The Bugoma Forest is a protected tropical forest that is situated southwest of Hoima and northeast of Kyenjojo towns, and east of Lake Albert, in the Hoima district of western Uganda. It was gazetted in the 1932 and came under the mandate of the National Forestry Authority in 2003. But it was expanded in 1965, 1968 and 1998. Its surface area is given as between 41,144 hectares (411.44 km2) and 65,000 hectares (650 km2).
Nyabiku Central Forest Reserve is a gazetted forest reserve in Kibaale District, Uganda. It is located in the sub-counties of Mugarama and Nyamarunda, approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) from Kibaale Town. The reserve covers an area of 3,400 hectares.
Rwengeye Central Forest Reserve is a protected tropical high forest in the Kiryanga and Pacwa subcounties in Kibaale District in Western Uganda. It covers an area of 329 hecatres (3.24 km²). It is operated by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). Its WDPA ID is 39999. It was declared a forest reserve in 1932.
Nyamakere Central Forest Reserve is a protected area located in the Kiryandongo District of Uganda. It is one of the many Central Forest Reserves managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) of Uganda. Nyamakere Central Forest Reserve covers an extensive stretch of over 3.4 kilometers.
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. It is also located in Uganda's Albertine Rift ecoregion area renowned for its rich biodiversity.
Kasagala Central Forest Reserve is a protected area located in central Uganda. It was gazetted in 1963 and is known for its diverse ecosystem and significant contribution to the region's biodiversity conservation efforts. Kasagala Forest Reserve was established to provide ecosystem services and watershed protection to Lake Kyoga, an inland body of water that is slowly drying up owing to loss of surrounding plant cover.
Mubuku Central Forest Reserve is a forest located in the Rwenzori Mountains region of Western Uganda, situated near the villages of Nyakalengija and Kilembe. The forest reserve covers a significant area and plays a vital role in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the region.
Kangombe Central Forest Reserve is a forest reserve located in Kibaale District, Uganda. The reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. It serves as a habitat for numerous plant and animal species.
Namatale Central Forest Reserve is a forest located in Mbale district, Uganda. It is a significant natural resource that plays a crucial role in the region's ecosystem and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve is a protected area in Uganda's Eastern district of Kalangala. The 174 hectares Lutoboka Forest Reserve is located in Kalangala Town Council on Bugala Island.
Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve, a protect area located in Wakiso district, is a 142 hectares forest reserve with a boundary length of 7.2 kilometers. It is situated in Central Uganda and is protected by the National Forestry Authority under National Forest and Tree Planting Act.
Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve is a protected area located in Uganda, near the city of Entebbe in Central Uganda. Covering an area of 80 hectares, it is an important forest ecosystem that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The reserve is categorized as a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating its significance for the preservation of biological diversity and the protection of ecosystems. The forest reserve is situated in Central Uganda and is protected by the National Forestry Authority under the National Forest and Tree Planting Act. The forest reserve was gazetted in 1932 to protect Lake Victoria and the environment.
Gangu Central Forest Reserve is a 1,054 hectares protected area located along the Kampala Masaka highway in Butambala District, South West of Kampala City in Central Uganda.
Gulu Central Forest Reserve is a Forest Reserve located in Gulu District, Laroo-Pece division, GuluCity and is a protected area by National Forestry Authority. Despite numerous threats, the forest reserve has faced numerous challenges.
Nonve Central Forest Reserve is a 738 hectare forest reserve located in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District, Uganda. It is part of the Central Forest Reserves of Uganda, which are managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
Mugomba Central Forest Reserve is a 100-hectare (247-acre) forest reserve located in Entebbe, Central Uganda. It is part of the Central Forest Reserves of Uganda, which are managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
Arua Central Forest Reserve, also known as Barifa Forest is a protected area in Arua district, Uganda. It is managed by National Forestry Authority (NFA). The reserve is constantly under threat from depletion and encroachers who are a threat the existence of tree species in this forest reserve. The forest was gazetted in 1932 with a land coverage of 236 hectares.
Namyoya Forest Reserve is a protected area located in Mukono District, Central Uganda which was established colonial era. The forest reserve was officially designated for conservation purposes and functions as an important ecological area within the surrounding region.
Zirimiti Forest Reserve is a forest reserve in Mukono District, Central Uganda. It encompasses an area with an elevation of around 1,163 meters. It is positioned close to the localities of Kitenda and Kipayo, making it an important ecological and community area in the region. The reserve is along the shores of Lake Victoria.