¶ Sustainable conservation and utilization of forestry resources
¶ 3.1 Resource Access Regulations, stakeholder roles and Responsibilities.
¶ 3.1.1 Summary of resource access categories
| Permitted with strict rules | Not permitted at all |
|---|---|
| Firewood for domestic use | Hunting |
| Craft materials | Grazing |
| Herbal medicines | Scrapping/removal of murram |
| Bee keeping | Harvesting of Bamboo stems and shoots |
| Water for domestic use | Harvesting of grass from Muchuya wetland |
| Water for livestock | Commercial firewood collection |
| Wild honey harvesting (for Batwa) | Cutting live trees for firewood |
| Access to cultural sites for cultural rituals | Harvesting of Smilax (ensuri) |
| Eco-tourism attraction | Cutting of bean stakes |
| Cultivation and settlement in the forest |
¶ 3.1.2 Firewood access
Introduction
The demand for firewood in around Echuya CFR is high. In Kanaba Sub-county Kisoro district, one household of about 6 people utilizes 7 and 2 bundles of firewood when utilizing the 3-stone and energy saving cookstove respectively. When converted to cubic metres, 1 bundle is equivalent to 0.3333m3 worth UGX 2,000 around Echuya CFR. Therefore, one household utilizes firewood worth UGX 14,000 (for the 3-stone cook stove) and UGX 4,000 for the energy saving cookstove.
The out of forest assessment found that 97% of the households in sub-counties around Echuya CFR use the traditional 3-stove cookstove for cooking. Furthermore, the Batwa community were given open access rights to firewood as a mechanism of supporting them meet their daily livelihood needs from the sale of firewood. This opportunity was also used by non-Batwa to collect firewood on a daily basis. The in-forest assessment in Echuya CFR indicated that dry firewood had been wiped out in areas next to the community. The local community had resorted to cutting live trees and stumps of trees for firewood.
Figure 2: LEFT: 3-stone cook stove in the open and RIGHT: Batwa women with bundles of firewood from Echuya CFR
Firewood access regulations
It has been agreed that the following regulations will be adhered to in accessing fire wood from Echuya CFR.
a) Firewood collection will be collected by KADECA, Batwa and other members of the community;
b) Only dry will be permitted for collection as firewood and only for domestic use;
c) Non Batwa community members will collect fire wood every Saturday from 12.00am to 3.00pm;
d) The Batwa community will collect fires for 3 days in a week; on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, between 12.00am to 3.00pm.
e) A maximum of two people (Adults 18years+) per household will be allowed to collect firewood.
f) Each household will be allowed a maximum of 2 people and 2 bundles of firewood on each collection day;
g) Both Batwa and non-Batwa will not be allowed to pangas during fire collection;
h) Children below 10 years shall not be allowed to collect firewood from the forest; and those above 10 years should only collect on a Saturday
i) All households should have improved energy saving stoves and well-constructed kitchens within 12 months after signing the agreement to minimize usage of firewood;
j) KADECA will put in place a firewood user committee in to monitor fire collection during fire collection days;
k) As an alternative, the community members are urged to plant their own trees through agroforestry and for those who already have; to start using their own trees for firewood.
Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
i) Roles and Responsibilities of Firewood collectors
a) Report any illegal activities identified in the forest;
b) Abide by the set regulations on firewood collection;
c) Avoid indulging in any other activity in the forest apart from firewood collection;
d) Construct good kitchens and energy saving cook stoves to reduce on fire wood consumption;
e) Plant trees in their respective homes as an alternative source of firewood.
ii) Roles and responsibilities of KADECA Executive Committee
a) Monitor harvesting and utilization of firewood to ensure that it is being used for domestic use/cooking only;
b) Conduct sensitizations of the need to construct kitchens and use energy of energy saving stoves;
c) Coordinate practical training on energy saving stoves;
d) Monitor the construction and use of energy saving stoves;
e) Document and share reports with other stakeholders;
f) Conduct community sensitization on the need to plant trees to provide firewood as a means reducing pressure on the forest reserve;
g) Coordinate with firewood user group committees on matters related to fire wood;
h) Identify, warn and eventually report those involved in illegal firewood collection to NFA.
iii) Roles and responsibilities of NFA;
a) Assess and monitor availability of firewood on a regular basis and together with KADECA members agree on a way forward based on the prevailing status;
b) Create awareness on the need to save energy;
c) Arrest and apprehend those involved in illegal activities in courts of law;
d) Conduct Sensitization of local community on the need to plant trees;
e) Provide technical support on tree nursery management and planting.
iv) Roles and responsibilities of Kisoro District Forest Services
a) Provide technical support to the local community on construction of energy saving stoves and tree growing activities;
b) Promote other renewable energy sources like biogas where feasible;
c) Settle disputes arising from resource access activities;
d) Maintain records on construction and use of energy savings cook stoves and tree planting;
e) Provide skills development in Tree nursery establishment and management;
¶ 3.1.3 Promotion of energy saving cook stoves
As a mechanism for reducing pressure on Echuya CFR, construction of energy saving cookstoves will be promoted under this plan. The strategy will be to encourage all community members starting with KADECA to construct energy saving cookstoves. The campaign will involve promotion of construction and maintenance of kitchens at household level to host the cookstoves. The key players will include the Kisoro district forest officer, NFA, KADECA, Kanaba Sub-county Local government and LC zero and LC1.
Roles and Responsibilities of the District Forest Officer (Kisoro District Local government)
a) Co-ordinate stakeholders on conducting training of trainers on energy saving cook stoves
b) Co-ordinate with KADECA and other stakeholders on construction of Energy Saving Cook stoves
c) Monitor the construction and use of energy saving cook stoves
d) Maintain records on the numbers of members using energy saving stoves
e) Conduct an assessment on fuelwood consumption in relation to the energy saving stoves in place
Roles and Responsibilities of KADECA
a) KADECA executive identify members with knowledge and skills in construction of an Energy Saving
Stoves;
b) Mobilize members for training of trainers on construction of energy saving stoves;
c) Lobby for trainings on construction of Energy saving stoves;
d) Agree with members and trained cookstove constructor on the best arrangements for construction of the stoves at household level;
e) Monitor construction, maintenance and use of energy saving stoves;
f) Sensitize people on the importance of energy saving stoves;
g) Keep on Records on the number of members using energy saving stoves;
h) Share reports with all stakeholders on progress being made on utilization of energy saving stoves;
Roles and Responsibilities of Zero LC/ LC1/Parish Chiefs
a) Mobilization of the community for use of renewable energy technologies;
b) Conduct sensitization of the community on renewable energy technologies;
c) Provide information on the number of H/Hs in the area;
d) Enforce construction of energy saving cookstoves;
Roles and Responsibilities of NFA
a) Assessing the status and demand of fuelwood consumption;
b) Sharing reports with stakeholders on firewood availability and demand;
c) Identify and link KADECA to stakeholders to build capacity of members on energy saving stoves;
d) Monitoring construction and use of energy saving stoves.
Benefits to stakeholders from firewood and use energy saving stoves
| Benefits to Kisoro District and Kanaba LGs | Benefits to the local community | Benefits to NFA |
|---|---|---|
| Increased tree cover on private land and protection of soil against erosion | Sustained supply of firewood | Reduced degradation arising from firewood collection |
| Healthy community | Time saved for productive activities | Enhanced protection of the forest more |
| Improved kitchen hygiene | Prevention of diseases caused by smoke in 3stone cookstoves | |
| Skills for nursery tree nursery management and stove construction | ||
| Source of livelihood for Batwa people |
¶ 3.1.4 Water for domestic use and livestock
a) Water for domestic and livestock use will be accessed in different water points;
b) Livestock will access water from three points in Echuya CFR namely Kabigunda, Mugasula and
Ibaruzo;
c) Access to water for livestock is allowed for the first three years from the date of signing the agreement after which the community will no longer be allowed to take their livestock to the forest for water.
d) Livestock owners will fence both sides of route leading to the water point to prevent animals straying to the forest for grazing;
e) Watering of livestock will be carried out between 12.00pm noon to 3.00pm;
f) Mubalizo water point is utilized by Batwa to collect water for domestic use and therefore no watering of livestock will be allowed at that water point;
Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
Below are the roles and responsibilities for NFA and KADECA in relation to water
| Roles and responsibilities of NFA | Roles and responsibilities of KADECA |
|---|---|
| Map water points for livestock and domestic use | Put in place water committees for ensure no degradation takes place |
| Maintain records of people accessing watering points | Monitor and report illegal grazing to NFA |
| Monitor the livestock monitoring activity to ensure no degradation takes place | Maintain records of cattle owners accessing the water points |
| Enforce the law against illegal grazing and apprehend offenders | Ensure that livestock owners fence off the routes to the watering points to prevent grazing |
¶ 3.1.4 Access to craft materials and craft making
Introduction
Craft making around Echuya CFR is a both lucrative business and also important for domestic use. The main crafts include mats and baskets which are made from fibres, grass, forest ropes and bamboo shoots. The dry season marks (December-January and June-August) the peak of craft making because many people have less work on the farm. Echuya CFR is main source of sources of craft materials in the surrounding sub-counties. The craft materials include bamboo shoots, grass from Muchuya wetland, ropes (emigoye); and climbers (emirondorondo). The assessment found that Bamboo is almost extinct in Kanaba Sub-county while the desired grass for craft making is obtained from Muchuya Wetland which is nature reserve. Although the craft materials are harvested seasonally, the offtake levels exceed of some resources. Rattan cane (Ensuri) has been overharvested and only a few remains towards Rubanda district. This is a threat to the livelihoods of some people like the Batwa who depend on craft making and sale of craft materials is a routine business.
Regulations on extraction of craft materials
In line with the above background, it was been agreed as follows:
a) Bamboo harvesting
• No bamboo harvesting will be allowed under the agreement since the bamboo is almost extinct;
• NFA will map and maintain the remaining bamboo in KADECA CFM area to provide planting materials for domestication;
• KADECA and other local community members will domesticate bamboo in their private land;
b) Smilax (Ensuri)
• Collection of smilax (ensuri) is prohibited until after fives from the signing of the agreement.
• After 5 years a review shall be done by NFA to ascertain whether harvesting should be resumed based on their availability;
c) Grass
While grass is one of the most important craft materials for making mats, it is located in Muchuya wetland which is part of the Strict Nature Reserve. The wetland is a habitat for endemic birds and mammals including the Grauler’s swamp warbler a globally threatened species and Albertine Endemic mammals namely Woosnams Bush-Furred rat, Montane marsh rat and the climbing shrew. Continuous removal of grass contradicts the principles of strict nature reserves and is likely to interfere and further threat the endemic species.
Therefore, it has been agreed that grass will not be harvested from Muchuya wetland under this agreement. The NFA will instead develop tourism infrastructure in the wetland with participation of the local community in various ways such as tour guiding, music dance and drama and sale of locally made craft materials.
As an alternative, the Kanaba Sub-county Local Government will support the community to rehabilitate and manage some of the wetlands such as Kagyezi and Karwa wetlands outside Echuya CFR. These will provide alternative sources of craft materials to community. The Local community will also be trained in recycling plastic materials to make craft pieces.
d) Ropes (Emigoye)
i) Collection of ropes will be done in the areas in the buffer and production areas;
ii) Collection of ropes will be carried out during June to August and December to January every year;
iii) Non Batwa will collect ropes once a week every Saturday between June to August and December to
January from 12.00 to 3.00pm;
iv) The Batwa will collect ropes twice a week that is Saturday and Wednesdays during June to August and December to January from 12.00 noon to 3.00pm;
Most Batwa are landless and as they obtain a living through provision of farm labour and or extraction and sale of forest resources to other community members. During the dry season there is less farm activity and therefore limited jobs/employment for Batwa. The Batwa earn a living through collection and sale of craft materials or exchange of craft materials from the Echuya CFR with food. In order to sustain their livelihoods; it was agreed that the Batwa collect craft materials twice a week during the dry seasons.
v) All collections will be done between 12.00am to 3.00pm on each day designated for collection;
vi) KADECA members involved in harvesting of craft materials and craft making will form a user group with a user group committee (preferably comprising of Batwa, women and youth);
Roles and responsibilities
| Roles and responsibilities for KADECA | Roles and responsibilities of NFA |
|---|---|
| a) Mobilize members to form the craft marking group | a) Assess availability of craft materials |
| b) Coordinate with NFA on access to craft materials | b) Issue permits for harvesting of craft materials |
| c) Supervise extraction of craft materials | c) Monitor extraction of craft materials |
| d) Monitor and report illegal extraction of craft materials | d) Link KADECA to organizations for capacity building in craft making |
| e) Domesticate craft material species | e) Link the craft making user group to markets |
| f) Conserve other sources of craft materials such as wetlands and river banks | f) Handle offences illegal extraction of craft materials |
| Roles and responsibilities of KADECA crafts user group | Roles and responsibilities of Kisoro/Kanabalocal governments |
|---|---|
| Adhere to sustainable harvesting methods for particular craft materials | a) Identify and support local communities to protect wetlands outside Echuya CFR |
| b) Report any illegal activities identified during harvesting of craft materials | b) Link the craft use group to capacity building opportunities related to craft making |
| c) Domesticate some species of plants which provide craft materials such as bamboo | c) Link the local community to markets for craft materials |
| d) Participate in the management of wetlands for sustainable production of craft materials | d) Settle conflicts related to craft materials |
| e) Acquire improved skills in production of high value and marketable craft pieces | |
| f) Maintain records of craft pieces produced and sold |
¶ 3.1.5 Access to herbal medicine
African traditions and norms have a strong attachment to herbal medicine and medicinal plants, while other plants have superstitious values. These strong traditions, norms, superstitions and tested curative herbal medicine drive local communities to make a choice between herbal medicine and modern medicine for various ailments.
A variety of medicinal and superstitious plants exist in the forest and knowledge about them varies from one person to another and from tribe to tribe. The Batwa for example rely on herbal medicine for treatment of various ailments. Their choice to use herbal medicine is determined by their deep-rooted indigenous knowledge of the herbals but also the limited access to health centres on account of the discrimination they have undergone for several years by other tribes.
Medicinal plants are extracted from Echuya CFR mostly for domestic use although this trend is likely to turn commercial as herbal plants get extinct outside the forest reserve. Already, Prunus africana and Warbughia ugandensis have heavily debarked for commercial purposes.
Herbal medicine access Regulations
a) The local community adjacent to Echuya CFR will access herbal medicine for domestic use only;
b) Commercial extraction of herbal medicine will not be allowed under this agreement unless authorized by NFA and with consent of the KADECA leadership;
c) Access to herbal medicine will be restricted to production and buffer areas. Harvesting of herbal medicine in the Strict Nature Reserve will not be allowed;
d) As much as possible uprooting a whole plant to access the roots for medicine should be avoided;
e) Only part of the plant i.e. barks, roots, leaves, flowers should be removed to present damage to medicinal plants
f) In respect of the traditions and norms related to some of the herbal medicines, users (Batwa and non-Batwa) will be free to extract herbal medicine any time as long as they do not indulge in any other illegal activity in the forest;
g) Under this plan harvesting of Prunus Africana and Warbughia ugandensis is prohibited;
h) Herbal medicine users should domesticate some of the possible medicinal plants on private land such as Prunus Africana and Warbughia ugandensis around homes and on farm;
i) Herbal medicine users should form an herbal medicine committee for purposes of coordination.
Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders regarding herbal medicine
| Roles and responsibilities of the NFA | Roles and responsibilities of KADECA |
|---|---|
| a) Monitor domestic herbal medicine extraction activities to ensure that there is no alarming damage to the forest | a) Maintain a record of re-known herbalists in the area |
| b) Identify and suspend extraction of any medicinal plant highly demanded and under threat of over extraction | b) Encourage domestication of medicinal plants at household level |
| c) Provide seedlings for domestication of some medicinal plants such as Warbughia ugandensis and Prunus africana | c) Monitor and report damages and illegal commercial extraction of medicinal plants |
| d) Apprehend illegal herbal medicine commercial dealers |
¶ 3.1.6 Cultural sites
Introduction
Echuya is said to be a home to indigenous Batwa people. As such they have a strong cultural attachment to the forest. The Batwa believe their god called Gihanga is found in the forest and as such they have cultural sites scattered in different parts of forest where they go for worship and to offer sacrifices to appease their god. Batwa go there in the month of July to September to pray to their gods to get peace. Kinyarusenje is one of the cultural the sites found in Echuya CFR Kanaba Sub-county where the Batwa carry out their cultural rituals. The site is accessed through a well-maintained trail which can also be used for tourism purposes.
Regulations on cultural sites
Under this agreement
a) Cultural sites will be recognised, mapped by NFA and protected from destruction;
b) The Batwa and any other ethnic group with cultural sites will be allowed to access and conduct their cultural rituals;
c) Destructive and unlawful practices such setting the forest on fire will not be allowed;
d) Cultural rituals involving human and wildlife sacrifices will not be allowed;
e) Participants involved in cultural rituals will not indulge in any other activities such as harvesting of the craft materials, firewood etc while at the cultural site;
f) The trails and cultural site may however be used for tourism purposes.
Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
Roles and responsibilities of NFA
• Map cultural sites
• Monitor to ensure the cultural rituals do not degrade the forest
• Apprehend those involved in illegal activities on the pretext of preforming cultural rituals • Coordinate with cultural leaders and LG to ensure security during cultural ceremonies
• Link cultural sites and ritual to tourism for income generation.
Roles and responsibilities of the local community/cultural leaders
• Protect the cultural sites from destruction;
• Coordinate with NFA and KADECA executive on tourism development in the cultural sites;
• Report any illegal activities identified during performance of the rituals.
¶ 3.1.7 Access to and harvesting of stingless bees (Obuhura)
Honey from stingless bees is one of the traditional foods for Batwa. It is also considered as a high value medicine by Batwa. The honey is harvested during the months of July and August every year. It has been agreed that the Batwa will continue to access honey from stingless bees in buffer and production areas of Echuya CFR. But since, the harvesting process involves digging holes in the ground, the Batwa will ensure that they cover the hole after harvesting.
¶ 3.1.8 Eco-tourism Development
Echuya CFR presents has a tourism potential based on its scenic beauty, biodiversity composition and the rich culture of the surrounding communities especially the Batwa. As such, KADECA and NFA agree to promote eco-tourism for the benefit of both parties.
Areas to be considered under eco-tourism development will include:
a) Mapping of the Eco-tourism site/attractions;
b) Development of the Kanaba campsite;
c) Development of the trail network in the forest adjacent the Kanaba campsite;
d) Promotion of cultural tourism especially in the Batwa cultural sites and trails to Kanyarusenje cultural site; cultural dances; story telling etc;
e) Skills development in making and marketing of quality crafts. The crafts group will put a crafts shop and stalls at Kanaba and other strategic locations where tourists can easily access the crafts.
f) Skills development for tour guides; porters and guards;
| Roles and responsibilities of NFA/LG | Roles and responsibilities of KADECA |
|---|---|
| • Map tourism sites and attraction in the forest | • Promote cultural tourism |
| • Support the local community developing the sites | • Maintain the campsite and the trail network |
| • Link the community to partners for skills development | • Undertake tourism works such as tour guiding |
| • Identify and promote tourism products among the community | • Involve the Batwa in tourism activities especially those related to Batwa |
| • Provide guidance on sharing of eco-tourism revenue/benefits with community | • Put in place committees on Eco-tourism |
| • Participate in tourism development activities |
Benefits from Ecotourism
The following benefits are expected from ecotourism activities
| Benefits to NFA | Benefits to local communities |
|---|---|
| • Revenue from tourism activities | • Income tourism products and services |
| • Better conserved forest | • Employment to the youth and Batwa as tour guides |
| • Improved relations with the local community | • Direct income to women through sale of craft materials |
| • Improved skills in tour guiding and craft making |
¶ 3.1.9 Prohibited activities
In line with the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 2003, hunting, grazing, commercial collection and cutting of live trees for firewood, cutting of poles, bean stakes, scrapping/removal of murram, harvesting of grass from Muchuya wetland, cultivation of crops and settlement, and harvesting of smilax, bamboo stems and shoots will not be permitted under this CFM agreement and plan. Any body found doing so will be dealt with in accordance to the provisions of the NFTPA, 2003 and other laws.
¶ 3.2 Protection of forestry Resources and handling of offences
Access to resources in contrary to the agreed regulations in this plan will also be considered illegal. As part of the efforts to ensure sustainable conservation of Echuya CFR stakeholders have agreed to deal with illegal activities as follows as follows:
a) KADECA will put in a place a forest protection/patrol team which will report to KADECA executive committee;
b) KADECA patrol team and other members shall monitor and provide real time information to NFA and LG on illegal activities taking place in Echuya CFR;
c) KADECA Executive committee will monitor resource access, beekeeping, cultural and eco-tourism activities to ensure adherence to set regulations;
d) KADECA will conduct awareness creation on the CFM Agreement at community level to ensure that everybody is aware of the set regulations under the CFM agreement and plan;
e) NFA, LG, KADECA will participate in joint law enforcement/protection activities;
f) NFA and LG will arrest and apprehend law breakers in courts of law;
g) NFA, LG will conduct awareness and sensitization activities on the importance of conserving Echuya CFR.
¶ 3.3 Restoration of degraded areas of the forest
Illegal grazing and cutting of live trees for firewood were identified parts of the forest in Kanaba subcounty. These activities resulted in degradation of vast areas of the forest that require restoration.
The parties agree that:
a) NFA will map the area to be restored;
b) The degraded areas will be restored with indigenous trees as will be recommended by the NFA;
c) KADECA will be contracted to carry out the restoration exercise as well as maintenance activities until the trees fully establish themselves;