User:Emma Oruk/Kakumiro Central Forest Reserve

Kakumiro Central Forest reserve is a forest reserve found in Kakumiro district, western Uganda and is protected National Forestry Authority. Kakumiro District is surrounded by Hoima District to the north, Kyegegwa District to the north-east, Kiboga District to the east, Mubende District to the south-east, Kyegegwa District to the south, and kibaale District to the west.its located at Latitude N 0°46′57″ and longitude E 31°19′30″

N 0°46′57″  and longitude E 31°19′30″

Conservation and Ecosystem protection
National Forestry Authority has constructively stepped up restoration efforts to have 89% of tree species recovered in Kakumiro, Kibaale and Kagadi districts over the last 2 years. With efforts to protect Kakumiro Central Forest Reserve, Human Nature in partnership with  National Forestry Authority is contributing to conservation of the existing ecosystem and protection through the introduction of agroforestry initiatives which allow the locals to partake in environmentally friendly activities with the goal to protect the forest reserves and these include tree planting for different use that is to say charcoal, poles and timber which are locally grown by the locals in their land hence avoiding deforestation. Also, bee keeping has been introduced where communities practice to earn a living.

The forest reserve is home to chimpanzees and other wild animals and the introduction of Eco-friendly initiatives has solved the crisis of human-wildlife conflict.

Controversies
In 2017, National Forestry Authority made a proposal to privatize all central forest reserves to private investors to promote tree planting. This spurred animosity in the locals residing in areas surrounding these forest reserves and raised eyebrows. In a highly contested discussion, the public criticized the decision with special reference to Kibaale, Kakumiro and Kagadi where residents live despite the existence of forest reserves.

Threats
Deforestation, charcoal burning and wildlife hunting has always been a threat to the existence of forest reserves.