Ugandans plant trees near national park to keep people out of gorillas’ habitat

Bwindi, Uganda (AP) — In the dense forest of a Ugandan national park, mountain gorillas reside among the foliage, undisturbed as tourists explore their woodland sanctuary. The first annual fee for a year-long subscription is $205.00, inclusive of GST. This renewable annual membership costs $233.00 + GST every half-year. The offer is exclusive to new and existing subscribers. Cancellation is possible at any time.

BWINDI, Uganda (AP) — Mountain gorillas are accustomed to human presence, yet their habitat is limited by the expanding forest. Communities have initiated tree planting efforts along the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's perimeter, aiming to alleviate pressure on the gorilla habitat. Trees are sought for medicinal purposes, firewood, and craftsmanship.

Bwindi's forest is home to approximately 450 mountain gorillas, representing nearly half of the remaining global population. A 2018 survey revealed the global mountain gorilla population to be over 1,000, a substantial recovery from the species' near-extinction status. Christina Katushabe, the founder of Change a Life Bwindi, explains that their organization provides useful trees, restores degraded land, and enhances biodiversity.

Batwa, an Indigenous community that has aided the project, choose species for medicinal use, timber, and firewood. The Uganda Wildlife Authority distributes seedlings, including medicinal trees that might otherwise be harvested within the park.

Joseph Muhindo, an assistant tourism and hospitality officer with the authority, notes that residents can utilize the harvested trees in their communities without interfering with the gorilla habitat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies mountain gorillas as endangered, a positive shift from their prior classification as critically endangered.

Tourism has played a crucial role in supporting their recovery, with visitors trekking through the forest to observe habituated gorilla families, generating employment and revenue for nearby communities. Locals also benefit from selling handmade crafts.

The tree planting initiative has extended to nearby schools, where students plant trees that will be used by their families. Davis Musinguzi, a student at Ruhijja Seed Secondary School, emphasizes the importance of protecting the forest to ensure the well-being of the gorillas. The tree planting campaign was among the community conservation activities organized to commemorate World Gorilla Day, observed annually on September 24th.