Uganda: Mysterious Fire Destroys Pine Forest
Uganda: Mysterious Fire Destroys Pine Forest
10 January 2008
published by allafrica.com
Uganda — Over 400 hectares of pine forest trees in South Busoga Central Forest Reserve were on Janaury 5 destroyed by a mysterious bush fire.
The trees worth millions of shillings, are part of a newly established forest that is being replanted by the National Forestry Authority.
It is an effort to re-establish the forest in areas that were deforested by encroachers in past years.
Mayuge DPC Winifred Butazi, told Daily Monitor that although the cause of fire is not yet known, malice by encroachers who have for the last several years been involved in running battles with NFA cannot be ruled out.
She said NFA has in the past lost many hectares of pine through fires lit by encroachers who have chopped down hectares of trees. The police chief said although encrochaers have been many, they will tighten security.
