Source: New Vision, November 8, 2005 

by Jennifer Austin, Kampala 

A recent study by USAID and the Wildlife Conservation Society is the first to specifically look at the impact of the conflict in Northern Uganda on the environment. "The results of this study have important implications for the development of plans for post-conflict northern Uganda once peace is restored, or as peace slowly returns to the region," the report states.

Given the ongoing unrest in the area, data from the ground is very limited. However, comparing satellite images of the region from 1985 to images from 2002, scientists were able to map the trends in woody cover throughout the area.

The satellite data was supplemented with aerial photographs taken from a small plane. The plane was flown just above 600m, to be out of reach of AK-47 bullets. The aerial photographs were used to 'ground truth' the satellite imagery and assist in properly classifying the land as forest, savanna, agricultural and other habitat types.

The study has revealed a combination of increases and decreases in woody ground cover in different parts of the region. Woodlands in Northwestern Uganda have increased from 12-23% in the districts and from 20-39% within protected areas. In Northeastern Uganda, on the other hand, there has been a net loss of woody cover, including losses in protected areas. The degradation has been especially pronounced in Nakapiripirit, Lira and Moroto districts.

There have also been significant losses of woody cover in the area immediately surrounding Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps in Gulu and Kitgum and near larger urban centers in northern Uganda such as Lira, where the population has exploded from 9,122 people in 1980 to 80,879 in 2002. Even the forest reserves in Lira have lost most of their woodland since 1985. Although some of these reserves are not necessarily large, they were established to help safeguard local water sources and their degradation could have negative consequences for the supply of clean water in the area.

The results indicate that there has been significant natural habitat recovery in the northwest where the LRA has been most active, corroborating the theory that the land has recovered because people have been forced to abandon it. Similarly, the loss of habitat mirrors the movement of the people, showing the detrimental impact of the highly concentrated populations in IDP camps and city centres.

The study notes that it cannot necessarily attribute all the environmental changes in the area directly to the conflict, as other factors such as the loss of elephant populations in the area and climate changes could also play a role.

However, the data correlates with the predicted effects of the mass population movements caused by the war, indicating that the conflict itself has been a major factor in shaping the environment.

The goal of the study was to compile information about the environmental changes in the north to help clarify what the impact of the conflict has been and to inform decisions about resettling and redeveloping the northern region when peace returns.

The patterns of environmental recovery and destruction demonstrate the effects of people's use of the natural environment and highlight opportunities for conservation and development in the region going forward.

Development options include the re-cultivation of parts of the land with more intensive and productive farming methods and sustainable management of woodland areas potentially for tourism and biomass or charcoal production. Productive use of the woodlands themselves can give the returning people a source of income while they clear fields and wait for first crops to grow. Well-planned, sustainable use will allow them to continue to supplement their farming incomes with earnings from the woodlands.

Conservation project possibilities include developing peace parks and re-establishment of historic wildlife corridors throughout the region.



New Vision:http://www.newvision.co.ug/