Odioi residents plant bamboos to save wetland

Teso,

Sunday September 23, 2023

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

After many years of giving a blind eye to sand mining cartels in Busia, residents of Odioi area in Amukura West ward have launched bamboo tree planting campaigns to save the area’s wetlands from degradation and impending landslides as a result of uncontrolled mining.

According to the residents, the mining activities have threatened the local ecosystem, with their only source of water river Odioi slowly fading away.

Consequently, environmental organizations led by Ecogreen, PanAfrican Alliance, NEMA and county forest team have partnered with the county government of Busia to conserve and restore the ecosystems that existed before the greedy mining activities struck the area.

Speaking to the press after the launch that saw over 2000 bamboo trees and weeping grass species planted along river Odioi, area MCA Dr. Bonface Erute urged residents to embrace the culture of environmental conservation.

“Soil conservation is key to environmental sustainability as it helps protect natural resources and watersheds, restores habitats for plants and wildlife, improves water quality, and makes soil healthier,” said Dr. Erute.

The MCA challenged residents not to be deceived by brokers who take advantage of their poverty situation to extract precious minerals, leaving them poorer and with unproductive land for both farming and habitation.

“The influx of sand harvesters is threatening the homes of thousands who live along the country's water ways. The collateral damage of sand over-mining leaves increased erosion and potential for dangerous flooding,” added Dr. Erute.

His sentiments were echoed by Ecogreen director Jackline Amadi who said that they choose Amukura West ward after an outcry by residents, citing poverty as the leading drive into mining that have rendered many homeless.

Amadi noted that they have resorted to sensitization and training of the residents on the importance of environment conservation and how they can use bamboo to empower themselves.

“We have planted over 6000 bamboo trees so far in Amukura West ward as the havoc caused by mining needed urgent intervention. We have trained environment conservation champions who help in monitoring of the ecosystem,” said Amadi.

She added, “We are working with NEMA and the county government of Busia to formulate policies and bylaws that will regulate human activities along the rivers.”

Busia Forest conservator Gilbert Naderia noted Busia Forest cover stands at 0.2%, which should be a wakeup call to all residents to plant more trees to address challenges posed by global warming.

“The riverbed has become bare due to the uncontrolled sand harvesting. It is mostly rocky and the future of the majority of residents who solely get water here is at risk since water levels are declining by the day,” said Naderia.

They asked the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the county to strictly enforce law avert a crisis that might cost a lot of money for rehabilitation.

“Sand mining must be stopped before it devastates the country’s communities and environment entirely,” he added.   

The quick cash earned for loading trucks with sand, according to Dr.Erute, has attracted many youths into the area, leading to adverse effects of rising cases of drugs and substance abuse.

NEMA representative Duncan Osale said bamboo helps in avoiding fossil fuel use and reduces deforestation by offering an alternative, highly renewable source of biomass energy.

“Beside bamboos protecting the village from soil erosion and flash floods, they also provide a sustainable source of bioenergy for the many people who rely on solid biomass for cooking, such as charcoal or briquettes,” said Osale.

Bamboo now has become a valuable source of income for Odioi residents, with beautiful items being made from the same, building materials and also source of energy.

According to EcoGreen, promotion of bamboo plantation and bamboo made items will help to boost the economy of the country.

Meanwhile, realizing the significance given by bamboo to the environment, many states have now started using bamboo in construction of buildings.

“If proper training is provided in making bamboo craft and cultivation of bamboo in a systematic manner, our country could earn good income,” noted Osale.

Courtesy; KNA