Water Ministry To Control Soil Erosion On River Mpanga

by MORIS MUMBERE
e-society 

Water Ministry To Control Soil Erosion On River Mpanga

Kabarole: The Ministry of water and environment with funding from the Joint
Partnership Fund (JPF) and DANIDA has embarked on a management plan to
reafforestate a 670 Km within the catchment of river Mpanga and
control soil erosion on the slopes of Mt Rwenzori.

Jackson Kitamirike team leader from the ministry of water and
environment says that the Uganda water resources management plan was
sub divided into four zones of upper Nile, Kyoga, Victoria and Albert
water management zones.

The plan covers the districts of Kabarole, Kamwenge, Ibanda, Kirihura
and Kyenjojo that fall under the Lake Albert water management zone.
He said they are using the social component to conserve the water
resources first by sensitizing the community to change their mind set
towards environment conservation.

Kitamirike said while launching the plan in Karangura Sub County
Kabarole district on Tuesday.

The ministry of water and environment has already put Grass bands and
stone bands along the slopes of Mt Rwenzori on top of carrying out
galley terming and contouring to control soil erosion in Karangura sub
county.

Kitamirike says this has benefited the community in skills development
and also improved farm output in the past 8 months as all the soil
nutrients are contained especially during the rainy season.

Mrs Baitwa Francis a resident of Karangura says in the past before the
management plan was introduced; soil erosion would wash away most of
her plants and render most roads impassable. She however says that
more effort is needed especially in galley terming and contouring.

Florence Kadoma the district secretary for production and natural
resources said that the district in collaboration with the ministry of
water and environment has started establishing tree nursery beds in
villages.

End.