environment 12 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Conservation Efforts Bear Fruit in Mount Elgon Region
A multi-faceted conservation project in Uganda's Mount Elgon region is successfully restoring ecosystems and enhancing food security for local communities. The initiative focuses on tree planting, sustainable farming, and the use of indigenous species to combat erosion and reduce disaster risks. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-conservation-efforts-are-paying-off-in-the-elgon-region-5555900
Communities living near Mount Elgon National Park are witnessing the positive impact of dedicated conservation efforts. For over two decades, a concerted push involving government agencies, environmental activists, and local residents has focused on restoring the ecological balance of the Elgon region, an area historically prone to natural disasters like landslides and floods.
The “Mount Elgon Project,” a five-year initiative spearheaded by the National Environment Authority (Nema) and the Ministry of Water and Environment, launched in 2023. This project aims to bolster food security by improving the production of staple crops like maize, beans, Irish potatoes, and bananas, while also introducing cash crops such as coffee. Simultaneously, it champions ecosystem conservation through various means.
Farmers are being educated on scientific cultivation methods, including digging contours and trenches to prevent soil erosion. The planting of trees and cover crops along river banks and on degraded hillsides is also a key strategy to stabilize soil and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall.
Nema reports significant progress, having restored 127 hectares of wetlands and 410 hectares of forest reserves. The project emphasizes the importance of indigenous tree species, such as Prunus Africana and bamboo, over invasive ones like eucalyptus, which are known to deplete water sources. Bamboo, in particular, is promoted for its ability to stabilize slopes and its ecological benefits.
Beyond the Nema-led initiative, organizations like the Mount Elgon Tree Planting Enterprise have planted over 25 million trees. These efforts not only aid environmental restoration but also create economic opportunities for local communities by turning conservation into a viable business, with community-run nurseries playing a crucial role.
These combined conservation endeavors are demonstrating tangible results, mitigating the frequency and severity of environmental hazards and improving the livelihoods of those residing in the Elgon region.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)