WWF Kick-Starts Second Phase of Woodlot Restoration

Posted on 18 April 2023

WWF in Uganda under the Velux funded project has flagged off the 2nd cycle of establishing woodlots outside protected areas in the districts of Kibale, Kagadi, Kikuube, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa. During the 1st cycle, 75.5ha of woodlots were established in 2022.

According to Philip Kihumuro, the Project manager, the aim is to establish 328ha for the March-June 2023 planting season.

The exercise started last week targeting 150ha of mixed species woodlots that are ‘farmer driven’ through a Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process-a form of environmental and social safeguard.

While receiving the seedlings, Mr John Kayiira- a farmer in Kibaale stated that his dream of owning a pine woodlot was going to be realised.

“I always wanted to establish a woodlot for my economic security but to also protect the environment but I didn’t have money for seedlings. Am grateful to WWF,” he said.

Prior to handing over the seedlings, WWF together with officials from the National Forestry Authority trained farmers in the basics of tree farming to ensure increased survival of the seedlings delivered.

There has been a continuous loss of forests and tree cover globally with trends worrying. However, Uganda has witnessed a positive trajectory with current forest cover estimated at 13.4% -an improvement from 8.6% in 2016. This has been due to an increase in plantation and restoration efforts by WWF and other players.

WWF and the VELUX Group are implementing an innovative forest regeneration project that will serve as Uganda’s largest ever contribution to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The project will approximately restore 34,000-hectares of forest cover providing a saving of around one million tonnes of CO₂. The project is implemented in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority.

Seedlings of different species delivered on the site