Tag: environmental conservation in Uganda

13 CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION IN UGANDA

  • Rapid population growth, Uganda experiences a high population of 34.4 million people and the increasing population in areas such as kigezi, Mbale, Bugishu has led to high demand for land for settlement thus destroying forests like Mabira, Kibale, mt. Elgon forests, etc.




  • Forests are major sources of biomass in form of fire wood and charcoal especially in rural areas. This has led to cutting down forests like Mabira, Bugongo and Maramagambo.
  • The increasing demand for timber for furniture, building and construction has led to clearing parts of Kibale forest, Kalinju and Budongo which are accessible.
  • Burning of forests especially by hunters, farmers and grazers has destroyed Mwenge forest reserve, mt. Rwenzori forests and Luwero forests. Also many hectares of forests of Aber and Opit in Gulu were burnt in 1982 by locals.
  • Ignorance of the people especially in the rural areas like in Kibale and Kigezi, who have inadequate knowledge about the value of forests. Such simply destroy forests because they look at them as obstacles to more meaningful land use.
  • Corruption in the forest department in form of bribes, illegal sale of timber, illegal lumbering, thus clearing mostly soft wood trees like Mafuga.




  • Political insecurity where forests have been cleared to check on insecurity like in 1980s Luwero forests were cut down, Nyamityobora forest in Mbarara, etc for security reasons.
  • Limited resources invested in the forest department leading to inefficient equipments used, limited rangers, wardens and other staff to monitor forests and reduce on encroachment on forests like Mabira, Budongo and others.
  • Pests and diseases which have led to clearing forests to destroy tsetse flies like in southern Busoga, Bunya forest in Mayuge and kibale forests.
  • Over grazing of both domestic and wild animals like kadama forest reserves, Timu and Morongole in Karamoja area. Also Aber and Agwata forests are facing illegal grazing by the Iteso pastoralists.
  • The use of traditional and rudimentary tools in felling trees like axes and pangas has caused deforestation. Foristance Mafuga and Muko forest reserve have been destroyed by felling immature trees.




  • The need for more land for cultivation like Bugala forest was cut down by BIDCO to plant palm oil trees, and Kakira and Lugazi sugar estates cleared part of Mabira forest for sugar cane plantations.
  • Industrial establishment where forests are cut down to provide land for industrial set up like in Namanve and to get fire wood for tea processing in Ankole tea estate, firing bricks in Butende and Uganda clays in Kajjansi.
  • Mining activities foristance gold mining in kitaka-kamwenge, Buhweju-Bushenyi has led to clearing of forests in such areas for the activity.

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9 EFFECTS OF TRANSPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENT




The following Effects of transport on the environment

  • Pollution from vehicles emitting fumes and oil spills from ships into water bodies.
  • Smoke and smog have caused poor visibility.
  • Creation of barren lands where rocks have been excavated e.g. along river channels.
  • Increased temperatures/Global warming due to gas emissions.
  • Loss of bio-diversity i.e. migration of water animals and bird species due to pollution.
  • Destruction of forests and swamp reclamation to create land for roads and railways.




  • Displacement of many people because of the need to expand roads and railway lines.
  • Encroachment on land for other land uses like fishing, forestry, and agriculture.
  • Destruction of the scenic beauty of the landscape by removing vegetation and rocks.




  • Land degradation e.g. through stone quarrying which leaves behind pits that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

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8 REASONS FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENT




what is environment management?

Environment management is effective planning and control of processes and activities that would cause deterioration of the environment so as to achieve effective utilization

Environment management is effective planning and control of processes and activities that would cause deterioration of the environment so as to achieve effective utilization

what is environmental conservation?

environment conservation on the other hand is the protection and preservation of natural resources from destruction and wastage by careful use of the environment for continued utilization




The following are reasons why it is necessary to manage and conserve the environment

Protection of water catchment areas

destruction of water catchment areas lead to drying of water sources and this can make water scarce and make life difficult. conservation of environment through afforestation and reafforestation and restricting human activities in catchment areas can help preserve water sources and protect the ecosystem of these areas

recreational purpose




protected environments are attractive and can lead to tourism activities which in turn can lead to an increase in income to the local population and earning of foreign exchange to the nation in case tourists from other countries visit.

for example, the magoroto forest in tanga Tanzania which is preserved forest attract both local and foreign tourists who go there to relax and bird watching




curb global warming

forests and other vegetations are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

therefore environmental management and conservation is important because they help to reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which is one of the factors which lead to an increase in global average temperature (global warming)

protection of endangered species of flora and fauna

management of the environment is important in protecting and thriving the endangered species due to the fact that their existence depends on the stability of the ecosystem.




ensure a better life for the future generation

sustain future human life by protecting resources

ensure an adequate supply of food

conservation of the environment ensures that there is enough rainfall which is an important factor in increasing agricultural harvest, especially in developing countries.

maintain genetic resources

environment conservation on the other hand is the protection and preservation of natural resources from destruction and wastage by careful use of the environment for continued utilization

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THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT, COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND THE PROBLEM FACING ENVIRONMENT




The term “environment” refers to the surroundings and the influence surroundings have on living things.

Surroundings include the living and the nonliving things.

The term “environment” refers to the surroundings and the influence surroundings have on living things. Surroundings include the living and the nonliving things
Photo by S Migaj on Pexels.com

Thus environment includes land, water, atmosphere, and living things.

In the environment, human beings are taken to be the center because they influence the environment and in turn it influences them.

Simply environment includes everything surrounding us including ourselves.




THE COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

Our environment is often divided into three components.

These are the physical, the living, and the cultural environment.

  • The Physical Environment It consist of air, water, soil and rocks.
  • The living Part of the Environment; The second component is the habitat which is the home of living things (all living things). The habitat provide conditions necessary for life to prosper. The various creatures depend on each other for survival E.g. animals depends on plants for foods, plants depends on insect for pollination and dispersal.




  • The Cultural Environment. The cultural or human environment is unique for two ways
  • People are part of the living environment

People are capable of influencing each and every other part of the environment

  • Homes, industries, ports, transport and communication
  • Their capability for agriculture 
  • Their capability to conserve or destroy the environment.

THE ENVIRONMENT AS A SYSTEM




The environment is made up of independent components and processes, hence what is part of the environment can relate to something else. The destruction of one of these mean damaging a lot of others E.g. If we destroy a forest;

  • We destroy habitats for so many other creatures.
  • We are destroying natural cycles which involve the production or consumption of gases for sustaining life.


Therefore we should note that the environment is a big system of parts, in which none can work alone.

The environment is important for the following aspects.




  • General life support
  • The environment contains ingredients essential for live, health and human welfare 
  • Supply of raw materials and energy necessary for production and consumption. 
  • Absorption of the waste products of the social and economic activities. This absorption is done through air, soil or water.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT. 

Environment problems refer to the issue of harmful processes which are introduced or natural occurrences to the environment and make it unsafe for the users.




Environment management: Refer to the solution of controlling or conserving or caring for the environment for the future use.

The main environmental problems facing the environment are,

  • Pollution, these includes Air, Water, Soil, and Noise pollution
  • Environment hazards which include, Floods, Drought, Desertification, Famine and loss of Biodiversity both plants and animal (flora and fauna) 
  • Global warming 
  • Global climatic change.

If you find this post to be helpful then share it with your friend and REMEMBER to comment or ask any question about any geographic concept.




7 IMPACT OF POVERTY ON THE ENVIRONMENT




Poverty is  inability to afford basic needs such as clothes food and shelter.

Poverty is a major driver of environmental degradation. People living in poverty often have to make difficult choices between their immediate needs and the long-term health of the environment. They may have to cut down trees for firewood, use polluted water, or live in areas that are prone to environmental disasters.

Poverty has the following impact on environment:

  • Poverty influences environment degradation. Environment degradation is the process induced by human behavior and activities that damage the natural environment.
  • Poverty considered as a great influence of environment degradation in many regions of the world, regional overgrazing has resulted in destruction of grazing lands, forest and soil




  • The carrying capacity of the natural environmental has been reduced, As the people become poorer they destroy the resources faster
  • Poor people tend to overuse the natural resources because they don’t have anything to eat or any means of getting money except through the natural resources so starting to depend more on natural resources
  • Due to the lack of sufficient income people start to use and overuse every resource available to them when their survival is at stake.
  • Climate change: People living in poverty are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.
  • Pollution: People living in poverty often have limited access to clean water and sanitation. This can lead to pollution, which can have a number of health impacts, as well as environmental impacts, such as water contamination and air pollution.
  • Waste disposal: People living in poverty often have limited access to waste disposal facilities. This can lead to waste being dumped in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water, which can pollute the environment.
  • Loss of biodiversity: People living in poverty often rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. The loss of biodiversity can make it difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods and can also contribute to climate change
  • Migration: People living in poverty are more likely to migrate in search of better living conditions. This can put pressure on resources in new areas and can also contribute to environmental problems, such as deforestation and overgrazing.

Here are some of the things that can be done to address the impact of poverty on the environment:

  • Provide people with access to clean water and sanitation.
  • Promote sustainable agriculture practices.
  • Reduce pollution.
  • Improve waste disposal.
  • Mitigate the effects of climate change.
  • Promote social equity and inclusion.
  • Create jobs and opportunities.

How does poverty cause environmental degradation?

Poverty can cause environmental degradation in a number of ways:

  • Deforestation: People living in poverty often rely on forests for their livelihoods, such as for firewood, timber, and food. This can lead to deforestation, which can have a number of environmental impacts, such as soil erosion, flooding, and climate change.
  • Overgrazing: People living in poverty often rely on livestock for their livelihoods. Overgrazing can lead to land degradation, which can make it difficult to grow crops and can also contribute to climate change.
  • Pollution: People living in poverty often have limited access to clean water and sanitation. This can lead to pollution, which can have a number of health impacts, as well as environmental impacts, such as water contamination and air pollution.
  • Waste disposal: People living in poverty often have limited access to waste disposal facilities. This can lead to waste being dumped in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water, which can pollute the environment.
  • Climate change: People living in poverty are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. This is because they often live in areas that are already marginal and have limited resources to cope with these events.

Relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in Tanzania

The relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in Tanzania is complex and there are many factors involved. However, it is clear that poverty is a major driver of environmental degradation in Tanzania.

Here are some of the ways in which poverty can lead to environmental degradation in Tanzania:

  • Poverty can lead to people having to make choices that are harmful to the environment. For example, people living in poverty may have to cut down trees for firewood or to clear land for farming, even if this leads to deforestation.
  • Poverty can make it difficult for people to afford sustainable practices. For example, farmers living in poverty may not be able to afford to invest in conservation practices, such as terracing or water harvesting.
  • Poverty can make people more vulnerable to the impacts of environmental degradation. For example, people living in poverty may be more likely to be displaced by climate change or to suffer from the health impacts of pollution.

7 METHODS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION




Environmental conservation refers to the protection of the environment from being destructed through practicing various ways of environment protection such as destocking, afforestation, recycling wastes, and planting of cover plants.

In other words, environment conservation is the whole process of making sure that the environment does not deteriorate in quality and the environment which has been deteriorated in any way is restored to its former better condition.




Environmental conservation refers to the protection of the environment from being destructed through practicing various ways of environment protection such as destocking, afforestation, recycling wastes and planting of cover plants

environmental conservation is very important because it helps us to ensure that we continue to benefit from resources provided by our environments such as getting clean air, protecting the earth from climate change, preserving water sources, and getting food and medicines.

Destruction of the environment has led to a number of problems such as a decline in agricultural production, an increase in diseases related to the polluted environment such as cancer, and extinction of various species of plant and animals

It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that our environment is conserved since a better environment is good for all of us.




There are several ways we can use to conserve the environment such as 

De-stocking (reducing the number of livestock)

This refers to the process of reducing the number of animals in the environment because when the number of animals increases in the environment, they can feed on all the plants which help to prevent soil erosion or landslides.

Therefore reducing the number of cattle help to conserve the environment since less cattle means less grass and plants are destroyed which in turn help to restore areas that were once overgrazed

De-stocking, refers to the process of reducing number of animals on the environment because when the number of animals increase on the environment, they can feed on all the plants which help to prevent soil erosion or land slides




Afforestation and Reforestation

refer to the process of planting trees in bare land and replanting trees in the presence of other trees.

Afforestation help to conserve the environment by planting trees where there were no trees hence preventing soil erosion and encouraging rainfall formation.

For example in some parts of Dodoma Tanzania where there was serious soil erosion afforestation has helped to reduce erosion and stabilize the ecosystem.

Afforestation and Reforestation refer to the process of planting trees in bare land and re planting trees in the presence of other trees




Control industrial gases and industrial sewage system

the industrial location should be far apart from the water sources.

Industrial waste is one of the sources of water and soil pollution hence control of this waste can be very useful in conserving the environment.

Industrial wastes and gases can be controlled by treating them before dumping them and taxing the industries to raise money which can be used to clean the environment of the industrial wastes.




industrial sewage system

Practicing proper irrigation skills

When irrigation is practiced improperly especially on land with slopes the water can wear out the nutrients and cause poor production.

Practicing proper irrigation skills. When irrigation is practiced improperly especially on the land with slope the water can wear out the nutrients and cause poor production

Control of industrial fertilizers

instead of depending on industrial fertilizer, we can use manure since manure has no effect on the soil while industrial fertilizers add acid to the soil.

fertilizers from farms drain into water bodies and cause eutrophication, therefore, farmers should be encouraged to use farming methods which conserve both the soil and the nearby water bodies




Control of industrial fertilizers instead of depending on industrial fertilizer we can use manure since manure has no effect on the soil while industrial fertilizers add acid to the soil

To control fishing activities

the bad fishing methods should be discouraged for example through charging and punishing for those who practice bad fishing methods. 

fishermen destroy the environment through overfishing and using chemical in their fishing activities therefore the government should enact laws and make sure only sustainable ways of fishing are used




Control construction of roads and buildings

this help to avoid construction of building on steep slopes because this can accelerate soil erosion.

Spread awareness on the importance of environmental conservation

in order to increase the speed of environmental conservation, people should know the importance of environmental conservation and how they can help in the process.

many people destroy the environment simply because they do not know the impact of their actions and sometimes people who wish to be part of the conservation process lack the knowhow of environmental conservation




encouragement of environmentally friendly technology.

to conserve the environment the government and other stakeholders must encourage and use more environmentally friendly technology such as electric vehicles and solar power.

also in rural areas, electricity and energy efficient technology should be supplied at a reasonable prices to help discourage deforestation.

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