Degradation of wetlands; causes and impacts, a case of Nalwekomba wetland in Namasagali sub-county, Kamuli district.

Abstract

Kamuli district is one of the eastern districts of Uganda found in the Busoga region. It is well blessed with a wide range of wetlands. One of the wetlands includes Nalwekomba wetland in Namasagali sub county which has been highly exploited by natives. The study examined the causes of degradation of Nalwekomba wetland in Namasagali sub county, Kamuli district and associated impacts. The methods of data collection used were questionnaires and field observations. The data was collected from 70 respondents who operate from the wetland as well as those neighboring it that benefits them indirectly. The data was entered in Excel and exported into SPSS were all the analysis was done. I found out found out that most people living in Namasagali sub county derive their livelihood on farming and for Nalwekomba cultivation of rice and sugarcane which is the most exploiting activity in the wetland. This emanates from shortage of land in the area due to over population. The seemingly fertile soils in the wetland have attracted residents to farm there. Another root cause for the intensive activities in the wetland has been the changing climate that have affected the upland areas especially during prolonged drought that drives the natives to areas with reliable source of water. The increased degrading activities in the wetland has impacted on the wetland through increased floods due to high vegetation cover loss, extinction of species for example wild animals, deforestation where most tree cover has been lost. Finally, most respondents think this is contributing methane emissions that cause global warning. Generally, the wetland has been highly degraded which calls for immediate remedial plans by the concerned stakeholders like NEMA, Ministry of Water and Environment and the district and sub county environmental committees and departments. I therefore, recommend that the government through its concerned stakeholders should ensure sensitization of local community people about the wise use and protection of the wetland for sustainable development. There should be also provision of alternative sites for those operating in the wetland through initiatives like provision of upland rice to shift people from cultivating the wetland thereby reducing on the level of wetland encroachment.