Bio-diversity

Nyakigufu Rwoho Development Association is a local community based organisation operating in Ntungamo district. It is involved in the promotion of sustainable forest community based activities aimed at mitigating the negative environmental impacts brought about by the degradation of the Nyakigufu and Rwoho forest reserves which stretch from Mbarara through Ntungamo districts into Rwanda. The forest reserves act as a water catchment area for the area. The project area experiences high rates of deforestation and land degadation resulting from over population, human settlement and unsustainable agricultural practices. As a result the area experiences an observed micro climatic changes such as prolonged dry seasons and when rains come they are violent and destructive. This has greatly affected agricultural productivity and local community livelihoods. Food has become increasingly scarce, women and children travel long distances searching for fuelwood and water thus greatly affecting their normal lifestyles. The project is involved in the promotion of sustainable development community initiatives through participatory approaches aimed at improving household income, livelihood standards and conservation of the environmental resources under threat. Such activities include conservation education, beekeeping, re afforestation,soil and water conservation. The local community is actively involved in the promotion of project activities. The GEF focal area addressed is biodiversity conservation.

Uganda