-Balancing Development and Conservation Efforts
-Success Stories and Challenges in Environmental Preservation
By Davis Buyondo
Masaka – Region
Amidst the sprawling development projects that crisscross our modern landscapes, a quiet battle for the preservation of nature’s guardians is gaining momentum in Uganda. This battle fought on the frontlines of construction and conservation, centres around trees, a seemingly simple yet profoundly vital element.
In a world where the relentless pursuit of progress threatens the very ecosystems that sustain us, a revolutionary approach is emerging. It champions the protection and transplantation of mature trees, an ingenious concept with the power to rejuvenate ecosystems and safeguard nature’s delicate balance.
The champions of this movement are passionate and committed environmentalists, joined by Civil Society Organisations from every corner of the country. Their mission is nothing short of monumental, to preserve our natural heritage and shield communities from the escalating ravages of climate change.
They recognise the extraordinary potential harboured by mature trees, rooted deeply in the earth and bearing witness to the passage of countless seasons. They understand that these giants possess a unique ability to reshape landscapes, a potential that remains largely untapped. However, they are also keenly aware of the substantial costs involved in the transplantation process.
The recent past has seen numerous trees felled to make way for government infrastructure ventures, including roads, schools, and most notably, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Consider, for instance, the fate of the Nabukalu tree, a sacred sentinel for the Lugave Clan. In March 2022, the Mpigi High Court issued a ruling that sent shockwaves through the community.
It mandated the uprooting of the Nabukalu tree to pave the way for the Busega-Mpigi expressway road construction, following a protracted legal battle between Hussein Katamba, the site’s caretaker, and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
The ruling ordered Katamba and the clan to accept a meagre compensation of UGX4.6 million, a sum that paled in comparison to the government’s initial offer of UGX150 million. The clan leaders had boldly rejected the offer, asserting that it failed to appease the clan spirits residing within the tree’s branches. Their demand for Sh500 million ultimately yielded too little to protect their sacred legacy.
The plight of the Nabukalu tree epitomizes the conflicts that often arise when the juggernaut of development collides with the principles of environmental conservation. It also underscores the uphill battle faced by these environmental stewards as they labour to rescue magnificent trees from the brink of annihilation.
Yet, their tireless campaign is beginning to yield results. In carefully orchestrated operations, mega-projects have witnessed the delicate uprooting and transportation of these arboreal giants to new homes. One prominent example is the endeavour of Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, a distinguished business mogul.
Dr. Ruparelia is presently engaged in the construction of the Munyonyo Convention Centre, poised to become a world-class venue hosting the upcoming Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit. Instead of demolishing the trees to make way for the centre’s construction, Dr. Ruparelia has chosen a more harmonious path. He has relocated 20-year-old palm trees, ensuring they continue to grace the landscape, providing a serene ambience for the dignitaries who will gather for the summit.
As preparations for the NAM summit gain momentum, Dr. Ruparelia’s vision exemplifies the successful fusion of development and environmental preservation. It serves as a compelling testament to the intrinsic value of mature trees in cultivating sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscapes.
PAPs Experience
In the heart of Nabigasa sub-county, Kyotera district, lies the village of Luseese. Here, the Zabasajjja family possesses a treasure trove of trees, some standing for over six decades. Among these arboreal wonders, one reigns supreme, the venerable Mutuba tree. It stands proudly on consecrated land, a site where generations have paid homage to their deities.
Yet, beyond its sacred significance, this ancient tree serves a practical purpose. For decades, it has been a wellspring of income for the family, providing backcloth material. However, a shadow now looms over this cherished legacy, as an oil pipeline threatens its existence, marking it for destruction to clear the way for the project.
Joseph Zabasajjja, the tree’s caretaker, made impassioned pleas to NewPlan Ltd, the company tasked with mapping and valuation exercises. He begged them to spare the tree, recognizing its immeasurable worth, or to transplant it to safety. However, his appeals fell on deaf ears.
For Zabasajjja, this tree is not just a relic of the past or a source of income—it’s a linchpin in maintaining the local environmental equilibrium. Its demise, he fears, could intensify the impact of climate change in the area.
“I earnestly appeal to TotalEnergies and EACOP, urging them to consider alternative options such as diverting the pipeline away from the tree or relocating it to a different location. When destroyed, we shall have nowhere to relocate the deities, and our permanent source of income would be gone,” says Zabasajjja.
NewPlan Ltd’s report estimates that a staggering 7,726 trees will be affected by the pipeline project. This includes 540 backcloth/Mutuba trees, 699 Musambya trees, 272 Mugavu trees, 211 palm trees, 32 mahogany trees, 29 Mvule trees, and various other species.
Environmental activists argue that the removal of these trees could wreak havoc on the local ecosystem and propose transplantation as a viable solution to mitigate the impact.
CSOs version
Leading up to the commencement of activities on the EACOP project, a cadre of Civil Society Organizations diligently scrutinised every facet. These organizations, including the Community Transformation Foundation Network (COTFONE), Civil Response on Environment and Development (CRED), Global Rights Alert (GRA), Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), TASHA Research Institute, Citizen Concern Africa (CICOA), and Oxfam Uganda, have maintained a steadfast focus on human rights and environmental preservation.
According to Yisito Kayinga Muddu, the National Coordinator of COTFONE, a total of 2,062 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) face the loss of trees. These trees encompass a rich diversity, from fruit-bearing varieties like mango, avocado, passion fruit, paw, guava, and jackfruit to timber trees such as acacia, teak, eucalyptus, bark cloth, and bamboo.
Kayinga underscores a significant discrepancy in the project’s documentation. The Resettlement Action Plan, in particular, fails to provide an accurate account of the number of trees slated for destruction. Instead, it focuses on the number of PAPs who possess trees, omitting crucial details about the trees’ locations within pipeline routes.
Forests To Be Affected
The pipeline’s trajectory will cut through the Central Forest Reserve (CFR) known as Taala in Kyankwanzi District. This corridor spans 4.08 kilometres within Taala CFR, with 0.409 kilometres passing through wetland and riverbank areas.
Within this distance, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) directly manages 2.34 kilometres of the CFR, including the segment within the wetland and riverbank. The remaining 2.149 kilometres of Taala CFR fall under the stewardship of private tree farmers who hold licenses from NFA.
But the impact of the pipeline extends beyond Taala CFR. It penetrates two vast privately-owned commercial plantation forests in Mubende District, along with other privately-owned forested lands, including woodlots, woodlands, and agroforests. These lands, owned by individuals and companies, have had their affected trees and assets meticulously evaluated in the Valuation Reports.
The National Forestry Authority, working on behalf of the Resettlement Action Plan Contractor, conducted an exhaustive inventory. They identified a staggering 147,318 tree stems and saplings belonging to 510 different species, spanning both indigenous and artificially cultivated varieties within the forested areas and woodlots along the pipeline route.
Interestingly, the trees and forest resources owned by private entities are appraised in the Valuation Reports. However, those under NFA’s direct management are presented separately in the RAP and NFA reports but remain excluded from the Valuation Reports.
NFA and TotalEnergies Initiatives
Last month (July), a landmark agreement was struck between TotalEnergies EP Uganda and the National Forestry Authority (NFA). This accord is poised to protect one of Uganda’s most significant natural treasures, the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, home to approximately 600-800 chimpanzees and the largest mahogany forest in East Africa.
Over the next five years, these two partners will collaborate to deepen our understanding of Budongo Central Forest Reserve. Their mission includes raising awareness about its astonishing biodiversity and enhancing NFA’s capacity to manage this vital ecosystem effectively.
Mariam Nampeera Mbowa, representing TotalEnergies EP Uganda, elaborated on the company’s vision. They are steadfastly committed to safeguarding the forest’s extraordinary biodiversity and extending support to local communities. This commitment involves working closely with NFA and other stakeholders to empower community forest management groups and establish a Forest Management Plan to enhance the forest’s quality and coverage.
TotalEnergies EP Uganda has already launched initiatives under the Tilenga Biodiversity Program. These endeavours encompass collaborating with NGOs to restore forest corridors linking Budongo and Bugoma while educating the public about chimpanzees and forest conservation. Their dedication to preserving this national treasure shines through brightly.
This collaborative pact between NFA and TotalEnergies EP Uganda will also guide their collective efforts to advance conservation under the Forest Pillar of the Tilenga Biodiversity Program. Moreover, the company pledges its support to NFA’s forest conservation initiatives by jointly patrolling the area, and leveraging SMART technologies for enhanced monitoring and protection.
The intricate interplay between development and environmental preservation remains a formidable challenge. However, the innovative concept of protecting and transplanting mature trees offers a glimmer of hope in this struggle.
“As we face an increasingly uncertain environmental future, the preservation of our natural heritage becomes paramount. Through the concerted efforts of environmentalists, civil society organizations, and conscientious corporations, we can aspire to strike a balance that safeguards both our progress and our planet,” states the environmentalists.
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