DTB plants UGX90m in Kasonke Forest Reserve
![DTB plants UGX90m in Kasonke Forest Reserve](../admin/images/152948190720241.jpg)
DTB's Sebaana (2R) exchanges documents with NFA's Maniraguha after signing the agreement at the NFA head offices.
Diamond Trust Bank Uganda has entered a partnership with the National Forestry Authority to restore degraded parts of Kasonke Central Forest Reserve.
The restoration project, which involves the planting of over 20,000 indigenous trees on 34 hectares, is to cost a total of UGX89.7, hence contributing to Uganda’s Vision of 2040, which targets increasing forest cover to 24% of the total land cover like it was in 1990.
Kasonke Central Forest Reserve, known for its high biodiversity value, faces threats of degradation mainly from encroachment.
- Speaking at the signing event, Godfrey Sebaana, the DTB Uganda CEO, said; “We all have a responsibility to preserve the environment for today and for the future generations.”
Ssebaana said the initiative also marks the launch of DTB’s environmental sustainability campaign, dubbed the DTB Green Initiative, whose goal is to plant at least one million trees by 2030. “It is important for us to be involved and engaged in preserving our environment so as to improve the quality of life in communities where we operate and to mitigate climate change. The best way to defend against the effects of climate change is to prevent it rather than treat the symptoms, hence ensuring a fool-proof plan for many generations to come,” Ssebaana added.
Stuart Maniraguha, the NFA Acting Executive Director, welcomed DTB’s partnership for a noble cause.
- He said Kasonke forest is of high biodiversity and also works as a catchment for both the stream and lake, which the people of Bulayi and Sanji villages depend on for both domestic and production.
![DTB plants UGX90m in Kasonke Forest Reserve](../admin/images/152948190720242.jpg)
He highlighted the fact that environmental management or conservation is basically the sustainable use of forest resources, which are under threat hence the need for restoration.
Beyond tree planting, the project also encompasses a broader vision of enhancing biodiversity and fostering community development. The DTB partnership, officials said, would empower adjacent communities through education and participation in afforestation and reforestation programs.
Community-based groups will receive training in tree nursery management, sustainable resource utilization techniques, and forest conservation, basically being equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable living.
Uganda has a total of 64 central forest reserves under the stewardship of the NFA, which play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and sustainable resource management.
- These reserves are essential for protecting Uganda's rich natural heritage and supporting the livelihoods of local communities dependent on forest resources but face degradation and depletion due to human pressures.
- By restoring the severely degraded forests, initiatives like the one DTB has rolled out plus the others by companies such as MTN Uganda, help to safeguard biodiversity, ensuring that ecosystems remain resilient and capable of supporting a wide range of plant and animal life.
These partnerships have been welcomed by many stakeholders are a significant step towards environmental restoration and sustainable development for the benefit of this and the next generations.