Nature Uganda equips tour operators and CFM groups to conserve Echuya Forest and Lake Bunyonyi.
Nature Uganda, a non-governmental conservation organization has donated a boat, an engine and seven lifejackets worth 36 million shillings to Lake Bunyonyi Tour Guides Association, in bid to promote tourism on the lake and safeguard the lives of tourists.
Handing over the donation at Aharutinda in Kitumba Sub County over the weekend, the Executive Director of Nature Uganda, Achilles Byaruhanga said that the boat will ease transport for tourists and tour guides on the Lake, while the life jackets will ensure their safety as they travel on water.
Byaruhanga urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the donated items are properly utilized, and asked the communities living on the shores of the lake to protect and preserve the environment by practicing better farming methods.
The Chairperson of Lake Bunyonyi Tour Guides Association, Dan Namara, the Kabale District Tourism Officer, Bruce Atuha and the District Senior Environment Officer, Evas Asiimwe commended Nature Uganda, for supporting the association to promote tourism and conserve Lake Bunyonyi.
They said that the tour guides have been using small canoes, which cannot resist the strong waves of the wind on the lake, thus the rampant accidents and deaths.
On Thursday last week, Rubanda District Local Government in partnership with Nature Uganda, a non-governmental conservation organization launched a campaign aimed at encouraging residents
neighboring Echuya Forest Reserve to adopt the use of energy-saving stoves in a bid to save Echuya Central Forest Reserve from depletion.
Echuya Forest Reserve is being threatened by people who cut down trees for firewood and charcoal, among other purposes. Launching the campaign at Rubanda District headquarters, the Executive
Director of Nature Uganda, Achilles Byaruhanga said the scarcity of firewood is pushing residents to destroy Echuya Forest Reserve, which is a habitat for wild animals, and one of the major water sources for Rubanda and surrounding districts.
As part of the project, Nature Uganda also donated 150 beehives and 100 energy saving stoves to 13 forest management groups, who carryout activities adjacent to Echuya Forest Reserve.
