A LEAF LIFE initiative by Lisa Marsden
Uganda has lost nearly a third of its forests in the last two decades and could lose most of its tree cover in about 40 years unless measures are taken quickly to reverse the situation.
Between 1990 and 2010, Uganda lost over 30% of its remaining rainforest cover. Today deforestation continues at a rate of 2.2% per year, mostly due to subsistence farming, cutting for fuel-wood, and colonization by the growing population.
Only 10% of Uganda's population has access to electricity, while the rest use biomass as a source of energy, especially firewood for cooking.
"Because 89% of rural Ugandans rely on burning firewood for cooking, deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate." (NEMA)
Uganda's high population growth which is currently at 3.2% per annum has attributed to areas around the capital loosing more than 78% of their forestland since 1990, forcing people to migrate out of the crowded city into neighbouring districts.
While Uganda is famous for its mountain gorillas, it is home to some of the highest concentrations of biodiversity in Africa. More than 5,000 plant species are found in the country along with 345 species of mammals, 1015 species of birds, 165 species of reptiles and 43 species of amphibians.
Today, very little of Uganda's forest cover is considered primary forest by the UN. In spite of this, more than 25% of the country is under some form of protection.
By becoming a patron of Leaf Life and donating a tree, we will ensure
that your tree is planted in an area which is need of your support. By planting
a tree, you will be contributing directly towards the regeneration of Uganda’s
natural forests and the preservation of its magnificent wildlife, fauna and
flora which is so much apart of this beautiful country.
Click
here for the Leaf Life Pledge Form |
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DID YOU KNOW
that the name Springbok is an Afrikaans word which translates to 'jumping-buck' |
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Responsible Tourism:
Craft markets throughout Africa thrive on the sale of wooden
carvings. As tempting as it is to take home a beautiful souvenir,
think first about the origin of the wood. Wood is hard because
of its ‘density’. The more dense, the longer
it takes to grow! By purchasing wooden products, you are
promoting the harvesting of yet another tree.
Please avoid
purchasing the following woods:
• African Tulip Tree
• Ebony
• Mkusi
• Mvule
• Oak
• Olive
• Redwood
• Stinkwood
• Sycamore
Fig
• Teclea and Yellowwood.
If you must
buy a wooden product, then seek out these exotic woods:
• Casuarina
• Cypress
• Eucalyptus
• Jacaranda
• Loquat
• Moreton
Bay Chestnut
• Pine
• Silky Oak and Neem
Leaf Life supports:
• Recyclable paper products
• Water-based inks
• The use of bio degradable plastic bags |
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