By Okong’o Oduya
Climate and environmental conservation is a major concern among many nations.
Organizations and institution across the world are working hard in addressing the issue to curb global warming.
Sio – Siteko swamp, a trans boundary wetland that borders uganda and Kenya is one example of a wetland that is on the spot light and efforts to save it are on the way to bear fruits.
Among the measures being undertaken by various stake holders involve protection of catchment areas, lakes, wetlands and swamps, reduction of toxic gases from green houses, afforestation among other conservation measures.
Decisions made by these entities on greenhouse gases emission and other measures stand the transformation for the society to really tackle climate change in the long ran.
However, the environmentalists are suggesting that a lot more needs to be done, since reduction in green houses gases is just among the measures that require to adopted.
To bring the world to safer place a lot need to be considered including the manner in which we build our houses, how we practice our farming and how we conduct ourselves generally in the ecosystem.
Every action in environmental conservation is crucial, not only that it reduces the cost, but it means that we end the trend sooner to generate a new way of dealing with some of these problems. The more we can do the better.
Wetlands are among areas that are facing extinction in the world as a result of human activities. These are one of the most important natural resources in the world but to the contrary they are highly abused by those living around them.
For example, the wetland system shared by two counties –Kenya and Uganda in Busia county, Sio-Siteko Wetland is among abused wetlands in the region. Sio- Siteko helps in cleaning water that flows into Lake Victoria, provides food and is an important breeding zone for fish and migratory for birds such as crane birds.
In April 2019, the stakeholders had a meeting and it was realized that the swamp will receive 50,000 euro from Nile basin Initiative to help empower communities within Sio Siteko put to good use the natural resources found in the swamp to better their lives.
The money will be shared into two between Kenya and Uganda to help in addressing challenge facing the swamp, both in Kenya and Uganda sides. Each side is expected to receive 25,000 Euros to help them go for alternative source of income.
The group identified a number of resources such as fish, papyrus reeds, water, trees, clay among others that if utilized properly it will serve the people well without destroying the swamp.
To start with the communities unanimously agreed to venture into dairy farming. This means that they will plant species of plants and grass that not only favor the ecosystem, but will be used as feed for the livestock in their dairy business.
One of the suggestions that was arrived at was to formulate by-laws that will be adhered to by those living around the wetland as a way of conserving it.
According to July Mulonga, the director Wetlands International-Kenya, there is need for the communities living around the wetland be sensitized the importance of respecting the buffer zones within the swamp besides putting to good use the resources found within the swamp.
She encouraged the communities along the wetland both in Kenya and Uganda to come up with a common project that will see them succeed economically
“It is clear that human activities within Lake Victoria basin has worsened up the rate of ecological change that has contributed negatively to the existence of natural resources within the basin.” she said.
It was also realized that after the formation of management plan, they will develop conservation Investment plan as well that will be used to give directions towards development.
Okong’o Oduya is an environmental journalist based in Busia County
