Nile Basin Initiative
Nile Tr ansbound ary Environment al Action Projec t (NTEAP)
The Nile Environment
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF NTEAP
Volume IV, issue 2
April June 2007
Editorial
Editorial
Partnerships, the Solution to Tackling Envi-
T he April-June newsletter is a special edi-
tion. It focuses on the World Environment
ronmental Degradation in Africa- says
Day (WED) and the Nile Environment Week
activities. It flags the threat of global warming,
Rwandan President.
raises awareness while showcasing the partici-
pation of stakeholders in the respective Nile
basin countries during the Nile Environment
Week and WED. The Nile Week is a new ini-
tiative of the Nile Transboundary Environ-
mental Project (NTEAP) for annual environ-
mental awareness campaigns and to mobilize
the general public, NGOs, CBOs and responsi-
ble government institutions to raise awareness
and engage stakeholders in practical activities
that can contribute to minimizing the impacts
of the looming environmental threats in the
basin. The environment week received an over-
whelming support in the entire basin as signi-
fied by the level and diversity of activities and
the participation of all hierarchies of stake-
holders including the head of state of Rwanda,
Ministers, NTEAP steering committee mem-
bers, students and the general public.
We at NTEAP are very grateful to all who
made the event a success. We thank you for
buttressing basin wide action in environ- H.E Paul KAGAME addressing participants at the meeting of Environmental .
mental management and making stakeholder
Journalists, Kigali, Rwanda.
involvement a reality.
T he president of the republic of Rwanda, H.E Paul KAGAME, has urged
During the quarter NTEAP also participated in
stakeholders to forge meaningful partnerships with key national, regional
a number of activities including the 15th Nile and continental stakeholders, including governments, business, civil society
COM/Nile TAC meeting in Entebbe and pre- and development partners to realize real progress towards environmental
pared resubmission documents for the UNDP protection.
GEF phase 2 funds. The project experienced a
number of challenges at the beginning of the This was at the Regional Meeting of Environmental Journalists of East and
quarter as a result of interruptions in the flow Central Africa, held during the occasion of the World Environmental Day, in
of UNDP GEF funds. Nevertheless, consider- Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting was attended by African Network of Environ-
able achievements were made by all compo- mental Journalists from Eastern and Central Africa, Rwandan Policymakers
nents during the reporting period and we hope and key development partners from the European Union and the United Na-
to be in full gear in the coming quarter.
tions agencies associated with the environment, whom he referred to as lead-
ers in the fight against environmental degradation. "You are the core leaders
Inside this issue:
and professionals at the forefront of reversing the degradation of the environ-
ment in this part of the world", the Rwandan president said.
Partnerships solution to tackling degradation 1
He challenged African governments to reflect on a number of issues to ad-
NTEAP designates Nile Environment Week 2
dress environmental degradation. "First, are we African governments indi-
WED/Nile Week 3
vidually and collectively paying enough attention to the environmental chal-
Civil Society Save Natural forest in Uganda 8
lenges that our continent faces as part of the broader global effort? Are we
WED/Nile Week in Pictures 10
currently building adequate infrastructure, systems and human capacities to
15th Nile- COM Meeting 12
manage and anticipate Africa's ................................................. PTO
PAGE 2
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
Partnerships, the Solution to Tackling Environmental Degradation.
.......from page 1
The president wondered why the devel- Among the dignitaries at the re-
oping world, especially Africa, should gional meeting was Dr. Rose Mu-
environmental challenges in a man- suffer from the continued excesses of the kankomeje, the Director of the
ner that allows for ownership and most developed countries, Africa's own Rwanda Environmental Authority,
relevant action , based on sound failings in terms of poor policy and prac- who is also a member of the steer-
knowledge and information?; Second, tices that also contribute to the degrada- ing committee of the Nile Trans-
are our business communities join- tion of our environment notwithstanding. boundary Environmental Action
ing this fight, by among other ac-
Project (NTEAP).
tions investing in innovative tech- The Nile countries recognize that future
nologies that are less harmful to the development of the basin must be envi- NTEAP is one of the projects of the
environment?; Third, do our media ronmentally sustainable and the effective Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and it
establishments at present consti- partnerships alluded to by the president supports the development of a basin
tute viable channels for analysing is badly needed by the riparian countries wide framework for actions to ad-
and disseminating data and infor- if the Nile basin's environment is to be dress high priority transboundary
mation on the environment for conserved in ways that will help to im- environmental issues. NTEAP an-
timely public consumption?", were prove the quality of life of the inhabi- nually supports the basin coun-
the questions of the president.
tants.
tries in marking the World Envi-
ronment Day (WED ).
He said there is a looming environ- The basin is seriously threatened by ad-
mental threat as a result of the an- verse environmental trends, including This year a whole week, Nile Envi-
ticipated increase in temperature in land degradation and deforestation, and ronment week, was dedicated to
Africa by at least 2.5 percent by the thereby undermining attempts by the carrying out various awareness and
year 2030, according to the latest riparian nations to make a transition environmental mitigation activities
UN state of the environment report. towards sustainable economic develop- in the basin.
"This will hurt people by the mil- ment.
lions, and significantly destroy ani-
Source: Presidents written speech
mal habitats and biodiversity, He urged Africans to rise to the occasion, Extra reporting :Joel Arumadri KMS
which already exist in precarious and confront environmental challenges
circumstances", said the president.
locally and continentally.
NTEAP Designates " Nile Environment Week"
T he Nile Transboundary Envi- Kidundo, in collaboration with the The NTEAP supports the development
ronment Action Project
NPCs and the Local Microgrants Co- of a basin wide framework for actions
(NTEAP) of the Nile Basin Initia-
to address high priority transboundary
tive (NBI) has designated a "Nile
Nile Transboundary environmental issues and is imple-
Environment Week" to be marked
menting environmental education and
annually in tandem with the World Environmental Action awareness activities as well as piloting
Environmental Day (WED). The
local level approaches to land and wa-
Project of the Nile Ba-
objective is to provide an opportu-
ter conservation, including mitigation
nity for the Nile basin countries to
sin Initiative desig-
actions for soil erosion, desertification
reflect on the environmental threats
and invasive water weeds.
of the Nile basin, raise awareness
nates "Nile Environ-
and mobilize the people to contrib-
The theme will vary annually, depend-
ment Week" .
ute to restoration efforts by partici-
ing on the environmental issues re-
pating in tangible activities.
ordinators .
quiring attention and action and en-
hanced stake holder participation will
The maiden Nile Week of 2007 was Several transboundary environmental be a major focus of the events.
received with overwhelming enthu- issues have been identified in the Nile
siasm all over the basin. Countries basin ranging from deforestation, soil The inaugural Nile Environment Week
planned and executed week long erosion, biodiversity loss, water pollu- focused on land degradation as a wor-
awareness raising and restoration tion to desertification.
rying environmental threat in the ba-
activities. The event was organized
sin and activities ( featured in the next
and coordinated by the Environ- The Nile countries recognize that the pages) centered on awareness and res-
mental Education and awareness future development of the basin must toration activities on degradation.
Lead Specialist Mr. Maushe be environmentally sustainable.
Maushe Kidundo EE & A LS
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
PAGE 3
WED/Nile Week in Burundi- Theme:- " U nited To Combat Global Warming " .
of GITEGA; woodlot maintenance activities
in the commune of GITEGA; public address
on the environmental challenges in the Bu-
rundian part of the Nile Basin by Albert
MBONERANE, National Coordinator of the
Burundi Nile Basin Civil Society Forum and
Professor Jean Marie SABUSHIMIKE of the
University of Burundi, followed by the
launching of the 2007-2008 forestry cam-
paign in the commune of MAKEBUKO, prov-
ince of GITEGA.
First Vice-President of the National As-
Minster & communities sowing seeds
Sowing of seeds and filling of poly-
sembly, Mrs Alice NZOMUKUNDA.
thene tubes for direct sowing were the The forest cover which accounted for
T he Minister for Land Planning, ceremonial activities to mark the offi- approximately 8% of the surface of
Tourism and Environment of cial launching of the forestry campaign. Ag- Burundi, is currently estimated at 6%.
Burundi has attributed soil impover- ricultural tools and seeds, provided by the
ishment, fall of agricultural produc- Nile Transboundary Environmental Action Fuel wood constitutes the main source
tion, loss of biodiversity and famine in Project were issued to ten associations of of energy for the greater part of the
Burundi to climate change. This was nursery gardeners of the province of Burundian population. In Burundi,
contained in her speech on the occa- GITEGA, who have a plan of producing wood, charcoal and solid waste from
sion of the world environmental day 628,000 seedlings during this 2007-2008 for- crops account for 97 % of the overall
cerebrations in Burundi. She invited estry campaign.
consumption in energy; the petroleum
the population to become aware of
products: 2.5% and electricity: 0.3%.
NTEAP provided for distribution 25 kg of
this reality and increase their efforts polythene tubes, 20 wheelbarrows, 20 water- Increasing pressure is being exerted
to plant more trees and take care of ing-cans, 40 hoes, 40 shovels as well as seeds on tree plantations and natural forests
the health of the environment.
of forestry and agro-forestry trees (Leuceana, resulting into degraded forests and
The one-week event which ended with Callitris, Calliandra and Cedrella).
infertile soils due to excessive erosion.
the official celebration of the World
Polluted waters, degraded wetlands,
Deforestation is one of the most important
Environmental Day (WED) was
reduced food production, scarcity of
environmental problems in Burundi. Insecu-
marked with a variety of activities
energy and drinking water are also
rity since 1993 has displaced people to pro-
including public campaigns; speech
being experienced .
tected areas where trees are cut to create
by the Minister for Land Planning, room for agriculture and fulfil energy re-
Tourism and Environment; hygiene
quirements and building poles.
and sanitation activities in the town
Salvator RUZIMA NPC Burundi
40 Basin Technocrats Trained in Strategic Environment Assessment and EIA
SEA aims to ensure that envi- RPM of NTEAP participated in the
ronmental issues are addressed training.
from an early stage in the proc-
ess of formulating policies, The training was successfully con-
plans and programs. Eastern ducted and participants requested for
Nile Subsidiary Action Program a repeat of the training. The Nile
(ENSAP), being an investment Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action
program, requires the capacity Program Coordination Unit partici-
to ensure that environmental pants particularly requested for the
issues are anticipated and inte- conduct of the training for the NEL-
Participants and resource persons from the World Bank
grated into investment plans.
SAP region.
and CSIR at he Addis Ababa Strategic Environment As-
sessment and EIA training, June 25-29 2007
Forty participants from Egypt, NTEAP, the environmental project of
A
Ethiopia, Sudan and 2 participants NBI, is working with Strategic Action
training in Strategic Environ- from NELSAP Coordination Unit Program (SAP) projects to build their
mental Assessment (SEA) and Envi- took part in the training. Resource capacity to green SAP projects.
ronmental Impact Assessment (EIA) persons were senior Bank staff and
has taken place in Addis Ababa, senior staff of CSIR. The NTEAP Pro-
Ethiopia from June 25-29 2007.
Gedion Asfaw RPM
ject Steering Committee Chair and
PAGE 4
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
WED/Nile Week in Rwanda - Theme:- "Promote appropriate technology as we
combat climate change"
ronment Management Authority
(REMA), ministry employees, local
communities, and district and
province officials. On 4th June
members of the African Network
of Environmental Journalists
(ANEJ) participated in activities
to construct soil erosion infra-
structure in Ruhango district. The
climax of activities was on 5th
June 2007 coinciding with the
Hon. Minister of Environment (centre)
Students and Local community planting
Planting Grass at the shores of lake
official opening of the African
grass
Kivu
Journalists' Conference by H.E
I n Rwanda the Nile week and WED the president of the republic of and efforts are being made to rehabili-
focussed on effects of climate Rwanda.
tate the wetlands.
change, with an objective of raising
Severe soil erosion in most rural parts
awareness on energy conserving prac- More than 80% of the Rwandan of the country has caused siltation in
tices, lakeshore protection, and com- population depends on subsistence rivers and lakes.
bating land degradation. The Ministers agriculture and fuel wood for their
of Environment and Infrastructure, domestic energy needs, exerting The natural resources and livelihoods
and the Director General of REMA tremendous pressure on the exist- in Rwanda have been affected in many
were hosted to a Live TV and radio ing land, water and forest re- ways by the environmental threats.
show on 27
sources. Rising demand for fuel
th May to kick start the Nile
The cost of electricity has doubled due
week activities. Issues addressed and construction material, in both to the reduced hydro electricity power
ranged from environmental manage- the rural and urban areas, has led production resulting from the lowered
ment to infrastructure development. to heightened deforestation, and water levels in Ruhondo and Burela
Other activities included, drama on the poor farming practices contrib- lakes that supply the Ntaruka hydro
environmental threats, planting of ute to reduced soil fertility, soil electricity dam; water treatment costs
trees and grass on the shores of lake erosion and subsequent siltation have increased resulting to increased
Kivu, rehabilitation of terraces, inau- of the water resources.
unit cost of water in urban areas; sea-
guration of the bio gas production unit Demand for fertile land and water sonal disappearance of some of the
in Stella Matutina secondary school by the local communities has led lakes e.g. L.Chyohoha that appears
and brick laying. The Minister laid the to increased agricultural activities during the rain season and reduces sig-
foundation for houses to be constructed around the lake shores. This has nificantly during the dry season and
for the local population relocated from led to the deterioration of the wa- some communities take longer dis-
50m from the shores of L. Kivu as a ter resource through siltation and tances to get portable water for domes-
measure to reverse lake shore degrada- nutrient deposition .
tic purposes.
tion.
Prolonged draughts and unpre- Initiatives to address the environ-
The environment week was officially dictable rains as a result of chang- mental concerns include rehabilitation
launched by the Hon. Minister of ing weather patterns has also- of the shores to protect all the Lakes in
Land, Environment, Forestry, Water severely impacted on agricultural Rwanda, initiated during the Nile week
and Mines (MINITERE) Mr Christo- production.
in Lake Kivu, initiatives to use energy
phe Bazivamu on the 31st May 2007 in
conserving technologies in schools, uni-
Rutsiro district. Present were the In the search of arable land sev- versities, hospitals and prisons and
NTEAP Project Steering Committee eral wetlands have been en- intensifying awareness campaigns.
member Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, the croached, although this has been
Director General of the Rwanda Envi- put under check by government Emmanuel Muligirwa NPC
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
PAGE 5
WED/Nile Week in Ethiopia - Theme:- ''Land Degradation''
Department of Biology and Mr. Feke
Ahmed Negash, Team Leader for Abay
Basin and Tana - Beles, Integrated Wa-
tershed Project Coordinator from the
Ministry of Water Resource. They dis-
cussed the roles of NBI/NTEAP and
issues related to land degradation and
mitigation measures, aired by the
Ethiopian Television. The NTEAP pro-
ject steering committee member and
Deputy Director General of Environ-
mental Protection Authority of Ethiopia
PSC member planting a tree
Students & the public planting trees
were also interviewed by the Ethiopian highlands (14.5 million ha.) are se-
T he Nile week in Ethiopia registered Radio.
verely degraded while another 24% of
planting of 2,750 trees in the five
it (13 million ha.) is moderately de-
basin regions. This was a remarkable Regional celebrations were character-
graded. This is mainly due to defores-
contribution from NTEAP towards the ised by tree planting, poems, drama, tation. The deforestation rate of the
occasion of the Millennium (2007-2008) radio interviews, distribution of aware-
country varies from 150,000 to
celebration during which a total of 60, ness materials, songs etc Trees were 200,000 hectares per year.
000, 0000 trees (two trees per person) planted on the bank of the Blue Nile,
are expected to be planted. The tree close to Lake Tana, Abay river bank, The world environmental day and the
planting is in response to the serious around Churches, hospitals & schools Nile week marked from 14-21st June
land degradation in Ethiopia.
among other places.
2007, were fully attended by represen-
tatives of government institutions,
Among other activities a panel discus- Land Degradation in Ethiopia is the development partners, NGOs, CBOs,
sion was organized by the NPC and main environmental threat affecting the media, students, religious leaders
NTEAP national environmental educa- the natural resources and biodiversity, and the general public
tion & awareness working group mem- resulting in reduced crop production,
bers, attended by Professor Zerihune food shortage and poverty. Different Wubua Mekonen NPC Ehiopia
Woldu from Addis Ababa University studies indicate that about 28% of the
WED/Nile Week in Kenya- Theme:- " P lant a tree, to protect the Nile Environment'"
Cleaning was organized by the Deputy Director Environmental
TransNzoia District Environmental Education & Public Participation
Education Teachers network in vari-
NEMA and EE Working group
ous areas within the district and Members.
tree planting by the Environment
Club in Ngeta mixed and Kibabii The Nile Environmental Awareness
boys schools. Several schools sent week in Kenya was celebrated from
teachers and students to participate the 1st to the 5th June 2007 and cul-
in the various activities organized by minated in the celebration of the
NTEAP.
World Environment Day. Based on
the premise that Land degradation
The events were organised in collabo-
is the main threat to the Nile Envi-
ration with the National Environ-
ronment, this year's theme focussed
A tree being planted
ment Management Authority on tree planting as a way to reverse
A total of 2,500 tree seedlings were (NEMA), the Ministry of Education, severe deforestation, which leads to
provided by NTEAP and planted Nile basin schools and provincial and soil erosion. Soil erosion harms pro-
during the Nile week, while a further district level government officers. In ductivity resulting in increased
4,000 seedlings were provided by the attendance were dignitaries from deficits in food production, declining
Forest Department in Vihiga town for
government institutions including food security and greater human
planting by the schools and communi-
the Education Secretary, the Provin-
poverty. The slogan `Plant a tree, to
ties in the same area. Two open days cial Commissioner western province, protect the Nile Environment' was
were held in Kaimosi Girls and Bishop the District Commissioners of Busia, used to highlight the theme.
Atundo Primary Schools, where exhibi-
Kitale East and Kitale west, the Lily Kisaka NPC Kenya
tions, songs and poems were presented NTEAP project steering committee
to highlight the theme of the week.
member, representative of the TAC,
PAGE 6
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
WED/Nile Week in Sudan- Theme: " Planting trees as a mitigation measure for climate change "
P lanting trees Nimule, represented the Ministry
as a mitiga- of Environment Wild life & Tour-
tion measure for ism, and a member of Agro for-
climate change estry for Environmental Develop-
was the theme ment Association (AFEDA) gave a
for World Envi- talk on Transboundary coopera-
ronment Day in tion of communities to conserve
Sudan. The occa- the Nile Environment, which pro-
sion was marked vides the livelihood to communi-
with tree plant- ties in Uganda and Sudan.
ing, press confer-
ence addressed Reduction of tree cover is a major
by H.E Minister factor contributing to climate
Students planting trees
of Environment change in Sudan. The demand for
on 5th of June, wood and wood fuels, as well as port) and decline in vegetation cover is
Tree planting
(WED), attended clearing of the natural vegetation a major contributing factor to climate
by the Secretary General of Higher Council of cover for the expanding mecha- change, land degradation and in-
Environment and Natural Resources nized farming are the major driv- creased siltation of river beds.
(Chairman of the NTEAP steering commit- ing forces of deforestation in Su-
tee). A campaign for greening Khartoum dan.
The government of Sudan has re-
was organized by Forestry National Corpora-
sponded to the environmental threat
The situation is aggravated by the
tion officiated by H.E Minister of Environ-
by enacting regulatory acts of 1908
growing urbanization and the high
ment, H.E Minister for Agriculture and the
and 1917 and national forest policy of
influx of refugees and internal
under secretary of Environment.
1932, amended in2005.
displacement of population due to
In South Sudan activities were organized in insecurity. The continuous depend- The NTEAP is contributing to the re-
Juba town and Nimule (bordering Uganda). ency on natural resources for the sponse through the micro grants pro-
There was a talk show on Mirroria FM radio livelihood of communities exerts jects in North and South Sudan.
station about the waste management and pressure on the forest resources. Abdelslaam - NPC Sudan
health issues in the market in Juba and tree Forest resources in Sudan are said
planting in Juba teaching hospital organized to be declining at rate of approxi- Alex Jumbek LMGC S.Sudan
jointly by the office of UN volunteers and mately 500,000 ha per annum
Nile Basin Initiative. The Commissioner of (forest resources assessment re-
WED/Nile Week in Egypt
I n Egypt this years WED celebra- chemically polluted crops with the fertilizers has also been removed to
tion will address land degradation associated health risks.
indirectly reduce their usage; cov-
as major threat in Egypt. The activi-
ered drainage is to be introduced to
ties have been postponed to the 7th of Egypt has taken a number of steps to 5.75 million acres by the end of 2007;
July 2007.
address land degradation including implementation of the National
enacting regulations to prohibit con- Program for Improving the Physical
The driving forces of land degradation structions on agricultural lands Characteristics of Agricultural lands
in Egypt are urbanization and the which has reduced cultivable land which introduced interventions such
rising population. This has exerted from 30,000 acres/year in 1990 to as laser leveling of land, subsoiling
pressure on land as a result of the 5,000 acres/year in 2005, implemen- and reduction of land alkalinity and
competing uses and application of un- tation of programs to replace chemi- increasing the area of cultivated land
sustainable agricultural technologies. cal pesticides with biological pest from 5% to 25% of the country by
Water logging, salinization, pollution, control resulting in a reduction in constructing new communities and
depletion of soil fertility and physical pesticide use by 80% and implement- cultivation in the desert. Other ini-
degradation are characteristic of the ing programs that use agricultural tiatives are grazing land improve-
soils in Egypt.
drainage water in plantation of new ment, protection of coasts, increasing
forests rather than in agricultural
The impacts of this include an increas-
the efficiency of irrigation, reduction
lands in the Delta.
ing reduction in food productivity and
of pollution and reduction of soil ero-
household income particularly among The target is to plant 400,000 acres sion.
poor farmers and the production of of forests. Subsidies on chemical Ithar Khalil NPC Egypt.
PAGE 7
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
WED/Nile Week in Uganda: Global Warming is Real. Green your Environment, Plant more Trees
community level in
and cutting of trees for fuelwood and tim-
Moyo district and a ber. The increasing population, with a
newspaper article. Stu- growth rate of 3.4 percent per year, is ex-
dents from 2 schools erting high pressure on forest resources.
and community mem- In some parts of the country the scarcity of
bers from Moyo district wood is already beginning to have impacts
participated in a clean on the quality of food prepared. House-
up of Nimule landing holds are opting for easy to cook but often
site in South Sudan.
less nutritious foods.
The main objective of Government has introduced programs like
the celebrations was to the Energy for Rural Transformation to
Seedling planted
reaffirm Uganda's com- promote clean energy production. There
in the pocket?
mitment to sustainable are some efforts to diversify clean energy
environment manage- sources through the promotion of new re-
A school boy pockets seedlings for planting at home
ment and to symbolize newable energy such as solar and biogas.
Uganda's contribution
Unfortunately, the investments required
O ver 2,000 tree seedlings of vari- towards the reduction of global warming are still at levels which the rural poor can-
ous species were planted during through planting trees to regulate at- not afford.
the environment week in Uganda. mospheric gases.
To increase forest cover and ensure in-
The National Environment Manage-
creased supply of timber, the Saw Log Pro-
Uganda has suffered severe deforesta-
ment Authority organized the na-
duction Grant Scheme and other licensing
tion from 1971 to 1987. Majority of the
tional World Environment Day cele-
measures including charging economic
population uses wood for cooking.
brations held in Kasese district and
rents for timber are in place. Other
Uganda lost 50 percent of its forests,
the Minister of Water and Environ-
schemes like collaborative forest manage-
including virtually all of its primary for-
ment, Honourable Maria Muta-
ment, are being promoted to enable rural
ests. The annual deforestation rate has
gamba, was the guest of honour.
communities living adjacent to forest re-
climbed 21 percent since the end of the
Nile Transboundary Environment
serves receive equitable benefits. Agrofor-
1990s. The country lost an average of
Action Project (NTEAP) co-
estry systems are also being promoted as
86,400 hectares of forest--or 2.1 percent
sponsored the clean up of a school
integral aspects of farming practices
of its forest covers--per year between
and a market, and tree planting
(www.nfa.org.ug).
2000 and 2005 (http://forests.org/
campaigns in Kasese and Moyo, a articles). Land-clearing in Uganda re- Jane Kiskye MGC Uganda
publicity on ecosystem restoration at sults mostly from subsistence farming
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN KURIA DISTRICT-KENYA, ALONG THE RIVER NILE
C lean and conducive environment is the neighboring Districts of Migori, Homa- are prepared along river streams for easy
one of the major factors that contrib-
bay, Trans-mara and Tarime in Tanzania, availability of water during the dry season
ute to social and economic development this region had the pride of conserving the for watering the nursery-beds. However , the
in any society.
indigenous tree species, less air pollution, distance between the nurseries and the
fertile soils and relatively clean river water . streams is so close that the run-off from
Kuria in Kenya is one of the districts Later Kuria experienced loss of trees as a these beds, containing harmful chemicals,
with high agricultural potential; but result tree cutting to cure tobacco.
finds its way back to the rivers and the same
poor and careless farming and industrial
water is consumed by people without treat-
activities have made this southern The companies involved in this business have ment.
Nyanza district, that is along the sources been advocating for and providing Eucalyp-
of River Nile to loose it's potential tus and Grevillea sp seedlings to farmers to Therefore to ensure that River Nile is well
through environmental degradation. plant as replacement, but later these planted conserved, the above dangerous farming
Nevertheless, better late than never; still trees are cut down leaving no permanent activity must be checked through the intro-
there is a possibility to turn some of the solution or replacement.
duction of alternative socio-economic activi-
poor socio-economic activities here into
ties in this region. The advocacy for proper
environmentally friendly practices to Trees serve as a catchment for rain but now use of the available resources, tree planting
sustain the society.
if environmental friendly species are not in and the introduction of alternative crops to
existence we risk lacking rain and this may replace tobacco can be the means to reverse
Farming as one of the major activities lead to desertification and even the drying up the adverse impacts of tobacco growing and
has contributed to various hazards in the of river streams.
alleviate poverty.
whole District. Tobacco as one of tradi-
tional cash crops in this region has Still on tobacco farming as our main farming Waikena Nyangaria- KNDF-Kuria Rep-
caused deforestation. Before the intro-
activity, there is another environmental haz- resentative
duction of tobacco farming in Kuria and ard along the river banks; tobacco nurseries
PAGE 8
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
WED/Nile Week in Tanzania- Theme: "Conserve Environment: Plant and care for trees".
cials and students, discussed Mwanza city council in her efforts to
various environmental issues of clean the environment and for success-
national and international signifi- fully organising the environment week.
cance.
Poverty, population growth, poor agricul-
The students as well as local ture technologies, are examples of driv-
NGOs and CBOs participated in a ing forces leading to loss of tree cover
clean up in Mwanza city to dem- and soil degradation in Tanzania. Most
onstrate the extra effort needed of the forest resource in Tanzania is de-
to keep the city, voted the clean- graded or threatened with degradation.
est in Tanzania for a second year It is estimated that Tanzania looses
in a row, clean. The climax of the more than 90,000 ha of forests per year
event was on world environ- but the rate of tree planting per year is
mental day, marked with a series only 20% of the amount cleared.
Students planting trees during the Nile
of activities.
Week.
The impacts of deforestation include
O
There was a presentation of increased prices of the forest products,
ver 1000 seedlings of various species awards to various achievers, scarcity of energy sources; in some areas
were planted in Mwanza city in Tan- speeches by various regional and people have opted for inferior type of
zania, with support from NTEAP, during city leaders and entertainment to energy sources such as cow dung. The
the Nile week and on the World Environ- the public. NTEAP used this event time spent in search of firewood has in-
ment Day. The loss of forests and the need to present the awards to schools creased and in turn affecting amount of
to plant trees to replenish them", was the and students who won prizes in efforts invested in livelihood activities
theme for WED in Tanzania. The theme the NTEAP School award Scheme. such as a food production and family
was adapted to reflect on the destruction The Schools that were presented maintenance. Water sources have also
and degradation of forest resources in the Awards are Bukoba Secondary, St been destroyed and land eroded.
country and the role of forests in curbing Pius Seminary, Loreto Girls High
global warming. Depletion of forest cover School, and Rugambwa Secondary Government and Civil society organiza-
was given high priority at both national Schools. Present at the function tion are working together through sev-
and local level celebrations in Tanzania were Acting Regional (Provincial) eral policy initiatives and actions to deal
during the World environment day.
Commissioner Mr. Samuel Ka- with forest degradation and depletion in
Tanzania. The review of the 1998 na-
Trees were planted at Igoma Primary mote, who was the guest of hon- tional forest policy and forest act, estab-
school and Tampere friendship garden. our, and Eng. Emanuel Kalobelo lishment of Tanzania forest conserva-
Students from various schools, government the Acting City Director. The Pub- tion and management project and crea-
and NGO officials as well as surrounding lic was also entertained with mu- tion of Tanzania community forest con-
communities participated in the event. The sic and gymnastic from a local art servation Network, are examples.
City Director and Distict Commissioner of group. The occasion was also used
Ilemela Districts graced the event. A one to award a certificate of recogni- Abdallah Shah-NPC Tanzania
day forum, attended by government offi- tion to NTEAP for supporting the
Civil Society, Legislators, Lead Agencies Unite to Save a Natural High Forest in Uganda.
T he civil society, members of group's Kakira Sugar Works.
parliament, lead agencies and
the general public in Uganda have According to the government owned
saved Mabira, one of the remain-
media house, the New Vision, the
ing natural high forests in Uganda cabinet had earlier issued a paper
from being converted to a sugar
supporting the degazetting of one of
cane plantation.
Uganda's biggest natural forests
(Mabira).
Daily Monitor, a privately owned
media house, in August last year But in March this year, the Prime
broke news of the government's Minister Apollo Nsibambi while refer-
decision to allocate 7,100 hectares ring to the conclusions of the inter-
of Mabira forest, (approximately ministerial report ordered the envi-
25 per cent of the forest) to Sugar ronment minister, Maria Mutagamba
Corporation of Uganda Ltd for to start the process of degazetting
Endangered? Journalists in Mabira Forest
sugarcane growing to boost the Mabira.....................cont'd to page 9
PAGE 9
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
Civil Society, Legislators, Lead Agencies Unite to Save a Natural High Forest, In Uganda.
estry Authority (NFA) also advised listened', the Daily Monitor reported.
"Owing to the conclusions and recom- against degazetting Mabira. Members
mendations from the report, I now of Parliament (MPs) insisted that the The government daily also carried a
direct you to bring a cabinet paper government should first consult them similar story. "The government-owned
seeking permission to degazette part of before giving out land or forests. The media yesterday reported that the
Mabira for sugarcane growing", Nsi- MPs said there is a lot of redundant cabinet had drafted a new paper high-
bambi wrote to Mutagamba in a letter land, which the government can utilise lighting the disadvantages of degazet-
dated March 1", the Daily Monitor without necessarily encroaching on the ting parts of Mabira forest to give way
went on.
forest reserves.
to sugarcane growing. According to the
The proposed give away sparked off a new paper prepared by Minister of
It is reported that earlier the Mehta bloody demonstration that left at least Water and Environment Maria Muta-
group had approached the president of three people dead. Thousands of people gamba, reasons for government's
Uganda arguing that part of the forest responded to calls by civil society or- change of attitude on Mabira include:
had been degraded and that it had ganizations to take part in the erst- Mabira forest reserve has unique bird,
inferior trees which could not produce while peaceful demonstration that fi- plant, primate, butterfly and tree spe-
valuable timber. They promised they nally took a nasty twist. The call was to cies, has high tourism potential, par-
would employ more people, address defend the forest. The Executive Direc- ticularly in view of its close proximity
the prevailing sugar scarcity and con- tor of the National Forestry Authority to the Kampala-Mukono-Jinja me-
tribute more revenue to the country's (NFA) and some senior staff resigned, tropolis. The reserve is an important
coffers if given part of the forest.
citing disagreement with the govern-
water catchment forest. Source of two
The New Vision of March 27, 2007 ment over the allocation of more forest-
main rivers-Musamya and Sezibwa -
reported, "The damage of cutting away land to private companies.
which flow into Lake Kyoga. Mabira is
part of Mabira Forest in terms of car-
a critical component of the local and
Godber Tumushabe, who heads the
bon credit is estimated at $316m. The
regional hydrological cycle. Large
Advocates Coalition for Development
value of the land is estimated at about
population around the place and con-
and Environment (ACODE), a civil so-
$5m and the value of the wood at an-
siderable demand for various forest
ciety organization, attributed the forest
other $568m. That means the Ugan-
products. Carbon sequestration val-
give away to governance failure in
dan public stands to lose almost
ues", the paper reported.
which institutions are undermined and
$890m (about 1.5 trillion Uganda shil- arm twisted to take illegal decisions.
The Mabira case is a case where suffi-
lings) as a result of the Government's
cient awareness of the civil society
plan to degazette part of the forest."
He said gazetted forests are protected and the general public on the impacts
by the doctrine of public trust, which is
The government of Uganda owns 51%
of the damage to the environment and
embedded in Uganda's constitution and
of Scoul and therefore is the major
the willingness on the side of the poli-
other laws on environment. He said as
beneficiary of the deal and at the same
ticians to respect the views of the pub-
a trustee, Government does not have
time the victim of the 1.5 trillion shil-
lic and scientists have saved a very
the right to change the land use of pro-
ling loss. Scientists inform us that the
important resource. The fatalities not
tected areas. ACODE teamed up with
average temperature in Uganda has
withstanding, the cooperative action of
like minded NGOs and took Govern-
gone up by 2% in the last 15 years.
the civil society, the members of par-
ment to Court saying degazettement
Thus, the long term loses far out weigh
liament and the responsible lead agen-
was becoming a trend despite the fact
any short-term gains in a business
cies to save one of Uganda's remain-
that it is illegal.
sense, reported the New vision.
ing natural high forests from conver-
sion into a sugar can estate is com-
The government is reported to have
The public opinion was that the forest
mendable. Other riparian countries
listened to the public anger. "The pub-
should not be given away and the pro-
have a leaf to pick from this unique
lic has expressed anger over the give-
fessionals equally advised the govern-
collaboration.
away of Mabira forest to the Mehta
ment the same way. The National For- Group and it appears the cabinet has Gerald Tenywa & Joel Arumadri
PAGE 10
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
WED/Nile Week in Pictures: Basin Wide Action, Stakeholder Involvement.
Action: 1st Vice-President of the National Assembly of Burundi (right) & Minister for
Participation: H.E Paul KAGAME (5th right), with participants at the Regional Meeting of
Land Planning, Tourism and Environment of Burundi (Left) Planting trees during WED
environmental Journalists, Kigali
Action: Minister of Environment of Rwanda (centre)
Planting Grass at the shores of lake Kivu.
Reward: PSC member of Rwanda, giving out presents to students
Action: Tree Nursery
Action: Tree Planting
Action: Tree Planting
Awareness: PSC Member of Ethiopia addressing audience
Awareness: Poem by students
Entertainment: Cultural Groups
PAGE 11
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
WED/Nile Week in Pictures: Basin Wide Action, Stakeholder Involvement.
Awareness: Poem by students
Action: Tree Nursery
Action: Tree Planting
Awareness: Public education
Awareness: Public lecture
Action: Tree Planting
Reward: Award of presents
Awareness: Public lecture
Action: Tree Planting
Capacity Building: Nursery Implements
Action: Tree Planting
PAGE 12
THE NILE ENVIRONMENT
VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2
N IL E BA SIN IN IT IA TI VE
River Nile Pact in Offing, Reports Gerald Tenywa & Patrick Jaramogi in
N IL E T RA NSBO UN DA RY
E NV IR ONM ENT A L
the New Vision of Uganda 26/6/07
A C TI ON P RO JE C T
go. The issue is not the source, but we need
Al Jamhuria Street
proper management of the Nile resource.
House No. 2, Plot 15
P. O. Box 2891
In a speech read by Kivejinja, Bukenya urged
the riparian states to greatly value the Nile
Phone: 249-183-784206/26
saying:"It is the source of livelihood to about
Fax: 249-183-784248
300 million people in the Nile Basin.
Email: info@nilebasin.org
Consequently, during a press conference at the
same Hotel, the water ministers noted that the
Visit us at:
a Nile basin commission woud be formed to
www.nileteap.org
replace the Nile Basin Initiative
"We are almost signing and adopting the treaty
Editorial Committee
forming the Nile Basin Commission. What is
Gedion Asfaw, Chair
left are a few contentious issues like the defini-
Nile-COM & Technical Advisory Committee Members.
Joel Arumadri
tion of some words, " said water and environ-
Editor
C ountries sharing the River Nile are formu- ment minister Maria Mutagamba. She declined
Amir Baker, member
lating a treaty to replace the contentious to name the contentious saying, " I do not want
to pre-empt what we shall discuss later".
Intisar Salih, member
1929 agreement that gave Egypt lopsided access
to the Nile. This was announced at Council of
John Omwenga,
Ministers meeting at Imperial resort Beach in Mutagamba is the incoming Nile- COM Chair
member
Entebbe, Uganda.
person. Nile-COM is the highest organ of the
Maushe
Nile basin Initiative, which is a transitional
Kidundo,member
The water Minsters from Burundi, Egypt, Ethio- intergovernmental arrangement. The Chair
rotates annually among Nile basin countries.
Mohammed Rahim,
pia, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Su-
dan and Uganda reiterated their commitment
layout and publishing
towards solving the hurdle that is delaying the The Nile-COM was preceded by Technical Advi-
assistant
formation of the treaty.
sory Committee meeting.
The meeting which was presided over by the School awards winners of the environmental
Information and national Guidance Minster of competition, from the NBI countries, organized
Uganda, Hon Kiruna Kivejinja, who represented by the National Environmental Action Project
the Vice President of Uganda Prof. Gilbert (NTEAP) were also given awards during the
Bukenya. Kivejinja also called on the Ministers same occasion.
to resolve the debate about the source of the Nile
that has caused a stir with three different coun-
tries claiming that the longest river starts in
their territory.
Putting the Shared
The Egyptian Minister for water Resources,
Vision into Action
Mahmoud Abu-Zied, noted that :"We need to
work together to solve these controversial issues.
Please send your articles / com-
The main issue is to define the meaning of the
ments to
source of the Nile. We are not there to discus
The Editor
which country the Nile originates from, but as
Nile Environment at
jarumadri@nilebasin.org
Egypt we shall agree with the outcome of the
meeting and adopt the treaty.
EE&A school awards winners from the NBI countries with the Nile
Kenyan Minster for Water, John Mutua Kituku, COM and TAC during Nile COM/TAC meeting in Entebbe, June 21-26
said:
2007
"We are keen to conclude this issue because as Extra reporting by Joel Arumadri.
politicians, we are not permanet, we come and
Upcoming events
16-31st 2007, SVP Projects mid
12-13th July 2007, CBSI Steer-
14-16th August 2007, NTEAP
term Review
ing Committee Meeting, En-
Regional Workshop on Best
tebbe, Uganda.
Practices, Kigali, Rwanda
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the NBI, its member countries or partners.