Kashoya-Kitomi Central Forest Reserve

Kasyoha-Kitomi Central Forest Reserve is located in Western Uganda, and has an area of 433-square-kilometre (107,000-acre). It is located south of Lake George and the Kazinga channel in the Albertine Rift eco-region, which is known for its abundance of endemic species.[2][3][4][5][6] The forest reserve lies within the counties of Bunyaruguru, Igara and Buhweju in the administrative districts of Bushenyi, Ibanda and Kamwenge[2] It was officially gazetted in 1932 and is controlled by Uganda's National Forestry Authority (NFA).[7]

Kasyoha-Kitomi Central Forest Reserve
Kashyoha-Kitomi Forest
Map showing the location of Kasyoha-Kitomi Central Forest Reserve
Map showing the location of Kasyoha-Kitomi Central Forest Reserve
Location within Uganda
LocationBushenyi, Ibanda and Kamwenge districts
Nearest cityBushenyi
Coordinates0.266°S 30.241°E / -0.266; 30.241
Area433 km2 (167 sq mi)
Established1932
Governing bodyNational Forestry Authority (NFA)

Setting and structure

Kasyoha-Kitomi is a moist medium-altitude forest with a high concentration of indigenous plants and animals. The elevation ranges from 972 to 2,136 meters above sea level.[7] The majority of the forest reserve is located in the valleys of the western ranges. The annual rainfall is bimodal, ranging from 1250 mm to 1400 mm.[4][7] The forest reserve, as a critical watershed, provides ecological benefits to Lake George.[8] The forest reserve's western edge borders the Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kyambula Game Reserve.[9][10][11]

Key Biodiversity

The number of bird species recorded from Kasyoha-Kitomi is 308,[12] with over 276 species reported from this forest reserve[13] with the White-napped Pigeon (Columbia albinucha) and Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) considered globally near-threatened. Kasyoha-Kitomi is also home to one Albertine Rift endemic (the Blue-headed Sunbird), Afep Pigeon, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue-throated Roller, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-collared Olive-back, Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eater, Shelley's Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, and Mountain Illadopsis are among the other species.[7][14] The reserve is further home to a variety of wildlife species, including habituated chimpazees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and vervet monkeys.[15]

Kasyoha-Kitomi exhibit a diversity of wildlife, including one threatened species and one IUCN listed species of mammals. The mammals include among others, the elephant (L. africana), chimpanzee (P. troglodytes) and L’hoest's monkey (C. l’hoesti).[16] The small mammals recorded in Kasyoha-Kitomi include three uncommon forest dependent shrews – Northern Swamp Musk Shrew, Eastern Musk Shrew and Hero Shrew.[13]

Threats

The forest reserve has been deforested in search of arable soil and fuel wood.[4] Because the majority of the larger trees have been harvested for timber and fire wood, the reserve now contains short shrubs and reeds.[7] Since the forest reserve, as a wildlife corridor connects Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambula Game Reserve, animal movements along this corridor frequently result in crop attacks on local people's crops. In turn, some communities around the forest reserve have taken advantage of the opportunity to illegally hunt down the animals for meat.[7]

See also

References
  1. Protected Area Profile for Kasyoha - Kitomi Forest Reserve from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  2. Franks, P. (2003). Participatory environmental management: engaging the rural poor as partners in conservation. Copenhagen, CARE Denmark
  3. "Kasyoha – Kitomi Central Forest Reserve". www.nfa.go.ug. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  4. Raben, Kim; Nyingi, Johnson; Akello, David Loserian Zerupa; Kidoido, Michael (2007). "Local Stakeholders' Use of Forest Reserves in Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Landscape, Uganda and Nguru South Forest Landscape, Tanzania" (PDF). www.jstor.org: 10–25. JSTOR resrep15620.6. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  5. "Kashoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve - Forests - Uganda Tourist Sites". 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  6. "kasyoha kitomi forest found in Kicuzi Subcounty Ibanda district. Photo by Sylas Byaruhanga | IBANDA DISTRICT". www.ibanda.go.ug. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  7. Raben, Kim; Nyingi, Johnson; Akello, David Loserian Zerupa; Kidoido, Michael (2007). "Local stakeholders' use of forest reserves in Kasyoha-Kitomi forest landscape, Uganda and Nguru South forest landscape, Tanzania". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. PEMA (2003). Participatory environmental management: Engaging the rural poor as partners in conservation.
  9. Bird Life International (2008) Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve, Birdlife Data Zone. Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/index.php/site/factsheet/kasyoha-kitomi-forest-reserve-iba-uganda/text (Accessed: 28 May 2023).
  10. "Kasyoha – Kitomi Forest - Hiking Trails- Birding - Crater Lakes". Kabiza Wilderness Safaris. 2017-01-08. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  11. Plumptre, Andy (2006-01-01). "Increasing the functionality of the Kyambura-Kasyoha Kitomi corridor and Mpanga Falls area in the Greater Virunga Landscape: management options and cost implications". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. Plumptre, Andrew J., Tim RB Davenport, Mathias Behangana, Robert Kityo, Gerald Eilu, Paul Ssegawa, Corneille Ewango et al. "The biodiversity of the Albertine Rift." Biological conservation 134, no. 2 (2007): 178-194.
  13. Davenport, T. R. B., Howard, P. C., & Baltzer, M. (1996). Mabira forest reserve: Biodiversity inventory report no. 13. Forest Department, Kampala.
  14. "Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve in Queen Elizabeth National Park". Inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  15. "Kasyoha – Kitomi Central Forest Reserve". Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  16. "Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve". Africa Safaris | Shanrod Africa. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
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