Land and forests are the life support systems of the planet. Dense tropical rainforests, jagged mountain ranges, and rolling savannas provide homes to millions of animal and plant species around the world. Human life also depends on land and forests, from the air we breathe and the food we eat to the livelihoods that support us.
One of the biggest challenges Uganda faces is deforestation, which strips the soil of minerals, reduces water supply, and threatens food security in a region largely dependent on small-scale agriculture. It also contributes to climate change, which impacts our planet’s weather patterns. Currently, the deforestation rate in Uganda is quite alarming. The present level of Uganda’s forestland is just about 20% of its original value in 1890 as a result of deforestation. The major causes of deforestation are the provision of wood fuel and the clearing of land for agricultural activities.
Since tourism tends to flourish in biodiversity hotspots, the industry has the unique potential to spur environmental responsibility and support conservation efforts in some of the world’s most vulnerable destinations. However, if environmental protection is not put first, tourism can present an additional risk to land and forests.
ISSUES WE’RE ADDRESSING
- Loss of forests, mangroves, and wetlands
- Wildlife and species risk
- Land degradation and erosion
- Introduction of non-native and invasive species
Here are some things ASTCF does to protect the earth’s terrestrial ecosystems to ensure the persistence of global biodiversity:
ASTCF has helped develop conservation reserves outside national parks by working with governments and communities. These reserves, which set aside land for conservation and protect wildlife from poachers, extend migratory corridors for wildlife and help bring additional income and benefits to communities through tourism.
ASTCF works closely with local communities to ask them how they use their land now and how they want to use it in the future. When communities get to be in the driver’s seat through this sort of planning, they tend to think more carefully about their natural resource use and are more likely to stay committed to the notion of conservation.
To reduce deforestation, ASTCF is promoting Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). REDD+ provides a new stream of income by letting communities “sell” the financial value of carbon stored in nearby forests to potential buyers looking to offset their carbon emissions. The program shows people that pristine forests have real value and that they can generate income by being left alone.