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Controversial rainforest clearing approved in Uganda Rhett A. Butler, mongabay.com March 26, 2007
Apparently the decision came as a surprise to lawmakers, according to Reuters. "Government officials told Reuters they were not aware of Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi's decision to give part of Mabira Forest -- one of the east African country's last remaining patches of natural forest -- to a local sugar company."
Green groups say the forest clearing could worsen soil erosion, remove an important buffer against pollution of Lake Victoria, hurt the burgeoning ecotourism industry in the reserve, and threaten ten endemic species, including a newly described species of monkey. "The ecosystem will be disturbed, the biodiversity will be destroyed and people's livelihoods will change for the worse," an official from Uganda's National Forestry Authority told AFP news agency. Previous articles on Mabira President Museveni needs to do what's best for Uganda. New monkey species in Uganda. Rainforest conservation worth the cost shows new study. This article is based on reports from Reuters, AFP and New Vision. Comments? News options News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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