Kasato Central Forest Reserve

Kasato Central Forest Reserve is a protected tropical forest that is located in Kiryanga subcounty in Kagadi District in Western Uganda.[1][2][3][4] It covers an area of 26.82 km2(2691 hectares).[1][5][6][2][7] It managed by the National Forestry Authority. It was designated a reserve in 1965.[5][6] Its WPDA ID is 39988.[6]

Geography and structure

Kasato Central Forest Reserve is located at coordinates: 1°07′26″N 31°05′00″E / 1.124°N 31.0834°E / 1.124; 31.0834 in Western Uganda. It acts as water catchment area for River Ruzaire. Kasato is used for both Ecological and Environmental purposes.[8] Kasato provides a corridot linkage between other larger forests from Semuliki Wildlife Reserve to Kagombe Forest Reserve, up to Bugoma Forest Reserve and through riverine forest to Budongo Forest Reserve.[2]

Kasato CFR contains 316 hectares of bush, 217 ha of grasslands, and 115 ha of small scale farmland.[9]

Biodiversity

Kasato CFR is a home to the endangered Olea welwitschii and Prunus africana tree species.[10] And also animals such as Chimpanzees.[11][12]

Threats

Encroachment for agriculture land, forest give aways by politicians, hunting for bush meat, illegal lumbering, charcoal burning, mining.[4] Immigrants from neighbouring countries such as Rwanda who clear the forests for settlement.[4]

Conservation status and challenges

National Forestry Authority was accused of not considering them in the giving away of the 15 gazatted central forest reserves in greater Kibaale district to private developers in response to the advert that was published in July 2017 that sought of hiring forest reserves in Kakumiro, Kibaale and Kagadi districts on a 49-year lease basis.[13][14]

See also

  1. North Rwenzori Central Forest Reserve
  2. Nyabiku Central Forest Reserve
  3. National Forestry Authority
  4. List of Central Forest Reserves of Uganda
  5. List of Local Forest Reserves

References

  1. ^ a b Kagadi District Renewable Energy access Strategy 2019/2020-2023/2024. Uganda: KAGADI DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 2019. p. 6.
  2. ^ a b c Plumptre, Andrew (2002). Extent and Status of the Forests in the Ugandan Albertine Rift (PDF). Uganda: Wildlife Conservation Society. pp. 16, 33, 41.
  3. ^ "10,000 hectares of Kibaale forest reserve ruined - report". Monitor. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  4. ^ a b c "Spotlight on forest encroachment in western Uganda". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  5. ^ a b "2018 United Nations List of Protected Areas of Uganda". documents.protectedplanet.net. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  6. ^ a b c "Protected Planet | Kasato". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  7. ^ Drichi, Paul (2002). National Biomass Study Technical Report of 1996-2002 (PDF). Uganda: Forest Department, Ministry of Water Lands and Environment. p. 106.
  8. ^ "3.2 - Sensitivity of forests". EIN Uganda Clearinghouse. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  9. ^ John, Diisi (2009). NATIONAL BIOMASS STUDY Technical Report (PDF). Uganda: National Forestry Authority. p. 84.
  10. ^ Nationally Threatened Species for Uganda (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Society. 2016. p. 68.
  11. ^ A.J. Plumptre, D. Cox, S. Mugume (2003). The status of Chimpanzees in Uganda. Albertine Rift Technical Report Series No. 2 (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Society. pp. 18, 29, 30.
  12. ^ MIDTERM EVALUATION. Conservation of Biodiversity in the Albertine Rift Forests of Uganda (PDF). GEF and UNDP. 2010. pp. 1, 31, 34, 77.
  13. ^ "NFA accused of sidelining locals in forest giveaways". Monitor. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  14. ^ "NFA in the spotlight over forest reserve giveaways". Monitor. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2023-06-16.