Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Adaptation Paper presented by Alweny Salome and Nimpamya Enock B.K on 3 rd October, 2011 at the 1 st workshop of the Nakasongola District Climate Change Pilot Project in the District Production Hall 1
Presentation overview Wetland Management and conservation Tree planting/Afforestation Water Harvesting Energy saving techniques-Energy Saving Energy saving techniques-Energy Saving stoves 2
Why focus on Nakasongola district The district is located in Uganda’s cattle corridor prone to climate change impacts. Due to limited tree cover and high temperatures, it is highly vulnerable to temperatures, it is highly vulnerable to prolonged drought, floods and erratic rains. Productivity has steadily declined and poverty levels are high. The region has been described as a severe poverty hotspot. 3
Why focus on Nakasongola district cont……….. The district has suffered considerably from soil degradation. Many areas that had vegetation including forests and wetlands have been converted to forests and wetlands have been converted to bare land. The district is increasingly loosing wetlands due to overgrazing, burning and encroachment. There are indications that the severe climate causing drying up of vegetation and crops is getting worse. 4
Wetland Conservation and Mgt Definitions There are many definitions for wetlands however according to the National Environment Act,CAP.153 under section 2,Wetlands are Act,CAP.153 under section 2,Wetlands are areas that are permanently or temporarily flooded by water and animals have become adopted. 5
Wetland Conservation and Mgt Wetland Coverage About 29,000km 2 or 13% of the total area of Uganda is occupied by wetlands. They comprise swamps(8,832km 2 ),swamp They comprise swamps(8,832km ),swamp forest(365km 2 ) and sites with impeded drainage(20,392km 2 ). Nakasongola district covers a total area of 3510 sq.km(about 1.42% of the country’s total surface area) 4.5% is wetlands 6
Benefits/Values of wetlands Direct Values Indirect values Option values Non-use values Production and Ecosystem Premium placed Intrinsic consumption functions and on possible significance in goods like…. services such future uses and terms of…….. Fish and craft as…… application such Cultural values materials Storage of water as……… Aesthetic beauty Fuelwood Fuelwood and supply and supply Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical Heritage Value Heritage Value Building valley Water Tourism Bequest value tanks and dams purification Water use Existence value Sand, gravel, Flood control clay Habitat Water Medicines/herbs Transport 7
Who is responsible for Cons. of wetlands? Article 237(2)(b) of the constitution provides that…Government or local government shall hold in trust for the people and protect natural lakes, rivers, wetlands, forest reserves, game reserves, national parks and any land to be reserves, national parks and any land to be reserved for ecological and touristic purposes for the common good of all citizens. 8
Who is responsible for cons. of wetlands? Under subsection (4) of section 44 of the Land Act, Government or Local Government shall not lease out or otherwise alienate any natural resource refered to in the section. Any issuance of a land title in respect to wetlands or within regulated lakeshores and river bank zones is therefore illegal. 9
Status of wetlands in Uganda General consensus that wetlands have been heavily encroached on. The area they occupy is rapidly reducing due to threats including those in next slides. 10
Threats to Wetlands in Nakasongola/Uganda Burning associated with grazing and hunting for new pasture regeneration. Inadequate capacity(No of personnel, Inadequate capacity(No of personnel, financial resources) for enforcement of wetlands policies and regulations. Population increase and consequent demand for land for agriculture. 11
Threats to Wetlands in Nakasongola/Uganda cont….. Uncoordinated institutional linkages for wetlands conservation. Issuance of Land Titles in wetlands by Central and Local Government. Central and Local Government. Political interference Inadequate detailed information on wetlands. Indefinate wetland boundaries. 12
Threats to Wetlands in Nakasongola/Uganda cont…… Dumping in wetlands. 13
Threats to Wetlands in Nakasongola/Uganda cont….. Extensive drainage/reclamatio n of wetlands for cultivation, notably rice and yams. rice and yams. 14
Who bears the consequences of wetland degradation All the above issues, directly or indirectly leads to the impairment of wetland’s ability to play its ecological/supporting functions. The poor because they have the least coping mechanisms. They particularly become vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change including floods, water related conflicts and diseases. 15
Measures being undertaken to minimize threats to wetlands Designation of wetlands as Ramzar sites. Sadly none in Nakasongola. Taking inventory of wetlands. Communities being assisted to develop Wetland Communities being assisted to develop Wetland Management Plans. Cancellation of land titles issued in wetlands after 1995 and compensation of individuals who qualify. 16
Measures being undertaken to minimize threats to wetlands Development of wetlands resources use guidelines to guide those who want to carry out regulated activities in wetlands e.g. guidelines for small holder paddy rice cultivation in seasonal wetland and Guidelines for sand and clay mining in and Guidelines for sand and clay mining in wetland. Gazzatement of critical wetlands for strict protection. 17
Measures being undertaken to minimize threats to wetlands Promotion of the Use of the ecosystem approach in Restoration and Management of wetlands. Continuous and proactive awareness programmes according to changing needs and emerging issues according to changing needs and emerging issues for wetland cons. Eviction of encroachers to allow restoration of degraded wetlands. Capacity development and empowerment(both human and financial) for functions of institutionas at all levels and many others. 18
Thank you for your attention! 19
Aforestation/Tree planting Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, habitat to more than half of the terrestrial species of animals, plants of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent populations. Despite all of the priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, they are being destroyed. 20
Aforestation/Tree planting Need for transformation of forest sector and need to make them a universal political priority. Need to plant appropriate tree species Need to plant appropriate tree species Preferably indigenous tree species 21
Why plant indigenous trees Native trees have the best possible chance of adapting to changing climatic conditions. Trees in the farming system can help increase farm incomes. diversify production and thus spread risk diversify production and thus spread risk against agricultural production or market failures. This is important as impacts of climate change become more pronounced. Challenge: not easy to save every species of plants but conscious promotion of indigenous species is possible. 22
Why plant indigenous trees Trees and shrubs can diminish the effects of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains, droughts and wind storms. They prevent erosion, stabilize soils, raise infiltration rates and halt land degradation. infiltration rates and halt land degradation. Enrich biodiversity in the landscape and increase ecosystem stability. 23
Energy Saving techniques Energy saving devises. This calls for alternative sources of energy. Construction of energy saving stoves. Example includes the Rocket Lorena -an Example includes the Rocket Lorena -an energy-efficient stove made of earth, grass and water. 24
Advantages of using energy saving stoves Less firewood used. The Rocket Lorena for example uses 60 per cent less wood than the traditional three stone fire stoves. According to GTZ Uganda, more than 210,000 stoves are already in use, each saving 1.5 tons of stoves are already in use, each saving 1.5 tons of fuel wood a year. “Where they are used, nobody falls ill or dies of smoke poisoning”GTZ. It’s cheap. A small Rocket Lorena for example costs 2000/= in some places. Saves time that would otherwise be used in collecting firewood. Emits no toxic smoke. 25
Water Harvesting Improved water harvesting and retention such as pools, dams, pits, retaining ridges water tanks) Large water storage Large water storage Water use efficiency(irrigation systems) Advantages: Cheap and safe if properly handled. RWH systems require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep the system hygienic. 26
Water Harvesting Advantages Addresses increasing irregularity of rainfall patterns. Increases production Saves time that would otherwise be used looking for water. 27
Thank you for your attention! 28
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