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B. Civil Society Organizations in the ENR annual joint sector review 2009/2010 E nvironment and Natural Resources Civil Society Organisations (ENR CSOs) are engaged in the environment and natural resources sector to reverse the escalat- ing degradation while providing practical solutions that deliver livelihood benefits and sustainable economic development. ENR CSOs are also playing supportive roles to government programmes to enhance sustainable livelihoods while sustaining natural re- source use and management. They are also monitoring implementation of government programmes to ensure that their implementation responds to the needs and aspirations of the poor and vulnerable communities. Environmental Alert (EA), in its role as a representative of the ENR CSOs on the sector working group at the Ministry of Water and Environment mobilised CSOs in Uganda to play a more pro-active role in the 2010 Joint Sector Review Process.. It has been achieved through implementation of the key actions such as: mapping of ENR CSOs active in Uganda, submission of ENR reports, awareness and consultative meetings. C. What is the CSOs contribution to ENR sector development? I t is important to note that CSOs contribution to the sector is noticeable in the four sectors discussed below. In order to ensure sustainable economic growth and develop- ment among vulnerable communities in Uganda, CSOs in their different capacities have demonstrated key contributions towards advancing activities and projects that promote a sustainable environment and natural resources sector. These contributions have been made in various districts. In total over 100 CSOs have been identified with a geographi- cal coverage of up to 79 districts across Uganda. These contributions are limited to 2009/10 (See Table 1 for an overview). Preconditions for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction and Prosperity for All through Sustainable Management of the Environment and Natural Resources in Uganda: A joint CSO position, 2010 Table 1: CSOs contribution to the ENR sector. Forestry Wetlands Environment Weather and Climate 1 . Tree planting of 1,480,000 trees in Mukono, Mubende, Kyenjojo, Adjumani, Yumbe, Moyo, Wakiso, Masindi, Kibale, Kaswoha-Kitomi and Sango-bay and Acholi sub-region has brought increased tree cover on both private land and Central Forest Reserve. This results in a total estimate of 1332 Hectares planted with an estimated sur- vival rate of 60-70%.Over 1200 hectares of woodlots have been established at schools and community level. 1 . Awareness creation has led to communities adopting alterna- tive livelihoods for wise use of wetland including ecotourism , this can be seen in Mabamba Ramsar site in Wakiso district, Kibale, Malaba, Kasanje, Bigodi, Masindi, Tororo, 1 . CSOs are supporting development of innovations in waste man- agement and energy conservation at both household and com- munity levels for example in Wakiso and Mukono. The districts of Agago and Pader are being supported to develop environmental ordinances 1 . Awareness about climate change impacts as resulted in development and strengthening of differentiated adaptation and mitigation responses to climate impacts at national and local levels. A number of climate change impacts were documented and various targeted innovative awareness educational materials such as illustrative posters, Tree Talk Newspaper, video documentaries were developed and can continuously be used for engaging various stakeholders on climate change issues. 2 . 1,900,000 increased tree seedlings raised in Rakai, Masindi, Mu- kono, Sango-Bay, Kasyoha-Kitomi, West Nile and Acholi sub-region. An additional 365,000 seedlings have been raised by communities that have been trained in the above mentioned districts. 2 . 12 management plans developed and community user groups strengthened for different wetland ecosystems across the coun- try. This has led to enhanced planning and management of wetland systems at district (Kibale, Malaba, Kasanje, Masindi, Tororo, Kasese, Kabarole and Kamwenge) and national levels. 2 . Environmental audits particularly on oil related activities in Bu- nyoro region to ensure environmentally friendly exploitation of the oil resource in the Albertain region. This has been done through research studies, awareness meetings, capacity building train- ings. 2 . Three REDD pilot projects and strategies put forward in Hoima, Katoomba group, UCSD, Wakiso Masindi, Rwenzori region, West Nile, Kasese, Kabarole, Kampala for advancing the National REDD strategy has seen climate change mitigation processes take place. A community group has undertaken watershed restoration through tree planting in Pece, in Gulu 3 . Small and Medium Forest based Enterprises (Bee Keeping, Hand- crafts, Fruit trees growing) supported in terms business orientation and development) among 5000 private forest owners in Mubende and Kyenjojo districts and around Budongo, Kihamira, Kaswoha- Kitomi, Mabira and Sango-Bay Central Forest Reserves. 3 . Wetland restoration has seen 2500 hectares of degraded wetlands in Kibale, Malaba, Kasanje, Bigodi, Masindi, Tororo restored 3 . Over 500 schools in northern Uganda have established environ- mental clubs through which pupils/students shape their mind and thinking about salient environmental issues affecting Uganda. 3 . Facilitated and supported climate change and adaptation actions for over 20 communities and local governments in Wakiso Masindi, Rwenzori region, West Nile, Kasese, Kabarole, Table 2: Sector Challenges and Recommendations Challenges Recommendations Responsibility/ Who Implements Responsibility / Who Implements Forestry Need for good governance of the National Forestry Authority and adequate institutional support (and capacity) for example District Forest Services (DFS) and Forest Sector Support Department (FSSD) to undertake their institutional mandates which includes among others protecting forest resources from destruction and degradation Empower FSSD and DFS to Provide financial, technical and professional support to enable them plant and sustainably manage their tree and forestry resources and restore degraded forests Forest Sector Support Department, District Forest Services, National Forest Authority District natural resources Officers, Environment officers and Forest Officers Tenure insecurity among land and private forest owners. Tenure insecurity for private tree growers with permits to plant trees in central forest reserves arising from escalating levels of politically motivated forest encroachment Private forest owners on untitled land should be sensitised about their rights and facilitated to register for their land titles The need for government and the political leadership to address the issue of encroachment in forest reserves (both central and local) Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, District land Officers Ministry of Water and Environment , Forest Sector Support Department CSOs Limited access to information, knowledge and skills for sustainable forestry management at the grass- roots level Build capacity within the Forest Sector Support Department to undertake its forest sector oversight role and responsibility. Need for more focused platforms that promote increased access to informa- tion. Capture, document and disseminate knowledge and skills to create awareness on forest conservation values and develop more forest based enterprises for farmers to realise tangible benefits from conservation Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development /National Planning Authority - Forest Sector Support Department . National Forestry Authority District Forest Services, Saw Log Production and Grant Scheme CSOs Wetlands Inadequate information(baseline data) on the wetlands to guide policy and decision making on sustain- able wetland management (Wise use of wetlands) The surveys department in partnership with wetland management department should come up with digitized maps that show wetlands and other natural resources of significant importance. Carry out a national wetlands inventory Surveys Department . Wetland Management Department (Enforcement) National Environment Management Authority Makerere Institute of Environment and Natural Resources Economic Policy Research Centre The value of wetlands demarcation and zoning process is not known. This has resulted in escalated conversion and encroachment on wetlands resources country wide Clearly demarcate wetland/forest boundaries and develop wetland/forest management plans in conjunction with key stakeholders in the ENR sector Create an attractive incentive package to encourage encroachers to vacate wetlands Wetlands Management Department, National Environment Management Authority Development partners, NEMA, Wetlands Management Department, CSOs, Ministry of Local Government Lack of coordination among key government institutions that impact on the use of wetlands (lands departments, NEMA and Local government Clarify coordination modalities among key government institutions in order to enable a harmonious work ethic in the wetlands sector The Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development .Uganda Land Commission, Wetlands Management Department, Policy committee on Environment Environment Inadequate awareness / appreciation and committement on environmental laws and standards by community and political leaders Support the new districts to develop and enforce environment ordinances and by-laws Develop communication and advocacy strategy to create appreciation and commitment to enforce- ment of environmental laws and standards Ministry of Water and Environment, National Environment Management Authority, Uganda Police, Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs Development Partners, CSOs A weak interface between enforcement agencies, key environmental agencies, institutions and the public resulting into lack of confidence by the agencies to act against the environmental offenders Strengthen mechanisms for tracking environmental crime Strengthen and sustain effective and efficient institutional coordination and networking with all key stakeholders to mainstream environment in all sectors Department of Environment Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs, Directorate of Public Prosecutions. Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development National Environment Management Authority Conflicting laws that have led to continuous and massive depletion of natural resources e.g. laws that give full use rights while others limit their use. Review and harmonise conflicting environmental laws for example the Environment statute, 1995 and the Land Act, 1998 among others Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda Law Reform Commission, National Environ- ment Management Authority. Parliament of Uganda Weather and Climate Lack of a national climate change policy and strategy to provide guidance for implementation of climate change activities across sectors Develop a climate change policy and strategy to respond to climate change concerns in Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment, Climate Change Unit, National Environment Management Authority Inadequate climate change information sent back at sub-national level Districts need to be supported to collect weather and climate information (e.g provision of equip- ment) anlaysing utilisation and information sharing among relevant users. Climate Change Unit, Department of Metrology, Ministry of Water and Environment Lack of Human and Institutional capacity at national and districts levels to address climate change issues Enhance the capacity of the climate change unit as well as provide for a mulit-discplinatry team to capture the multi-sectoral stakes Mainstream climate change in the teaching curriculum for increased awareness Ministry of Water and Environment, Climate Change Unit, Development partners Ministry of Education and National Curriculum Development Centre ENR Sector Financing Limited budget allocation to the Environment sub-sector compared to other sectors with little consid- eration that it’s a productive sector. ENR is the least funded at 1.9% for the financial year 2010/11. At local government level, 1% of the district budget is allocated to the ENR out of which less than 50% of the allocated budget is released to implement planned activities Government and development partners should prioritize ENR and increase resources allocation to the sector both at national and district level through conditional grants Earmark ENR funds at Local National levels Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Local Government, The Water and Environ- ment Sector Working Group. National Planning Authority Development partners Marginalization of the Directorate of Environment support services sub sector in terms resources allocation compared to other subsectors Review a criteria for allocations of resources to subsectors Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Water and Environment, Development Partners Governance in the sector Political support on sector governance and inability of institutions to exercise their mandates without interference Desist from interference with institutional business, provide leadership to inspire green ventures and promote environmental integrity Executive and District Local Governments, Judiciary and Parliament of Uganda Environment and Natural Resources CSOs have a role and contribution towards sustain- able development of the ENR sector as highlighted in this position paper. However, there are still biting critical issues and challenges which must be addressed. The annual joint sector review presents a window of opportunity for indentifying short and long term re- sponses to these challenges and issues. If Uganda’s Environment and Water Resources is to be sustained for the future, the following proposals are critical for consideration as part of the undertakings for the sector in the financial year 2010/11: •Strengthen coordination among ENR sector institutions and ENR CSOs at national and local levels to advance their productive participation in sector performance appraisal and overall sector development; •Fast track the development of a climate change policy and strategy for Uganda; •Increase funding for ENR activities at national and district level as a priority for 2010/11 financial year. Furthermore, cross Ministerial and Sectoral linkages and synergies need to be explored to address issues which are coordinated from other sectors like sustainable energy utili- zation which greatly impact on the Water and Environment sector. The natural resources sector is a public good therefore the general public has a role to play in sustaining these resources for the present and future generations. They are expected to promote good practices in environment and natural resources management by avoiding poor practices (like poor waste disposal, uncontrolled bush burning, unregu- lated cutting of trees, encroachment on fragile ecosystems e.g. river banks, wetlands, steep mountain slopes), which degrade the environment. While signicant contributions have been made in the sector, it is not void of challenges. The high dependence of Uganda’s economy and related poor management of environ- ment and natural resource leads to continuous degradation of the environment. This has an overall negative impact on the advancement of the sector and ultimately affects the potential of the environment and natural resources to meet the demands of communities in Uganda. Despite the challenges we are optimistic that the ongoing environment and natural resources sector reviews will consider the following recommendations towards better performance for economic development and improved livelihood of communities without compromising the integrity of the environment and natural resources for the pre- sent and future generations: E. Key Sector Challenges and Opportunities for consideration F) Conclusion O VER 85% of the Ugandan population live in rural areas and are highly dependent on environment and natural resources sector as is the entire economy. The contribu- tion of the sector can be exemplified by the fact that the livelihoods of any Ugandans are intimately tied to the environment and natural resource sector as a means of subsistence household requirement like food, income, and basis for production. In addition to this over 90% of Uganda’s exports and energy requirement in terms of firewood and charcoal for domestic use are contributed by the sector. Furthermore, agriculture, forestry and fisheries contributed 21% of Uganda’s GDP in 2008 (Water and Environment Sector Performance Report, 2009). Yet degradation of the environment through deforestation, wetland destruction, pollution (of air, water and land) and stagnant agricultural practices has become a lifestyle among Ugandans and has seen negative implications on tourism, climate and weather changes which mostly affects women because of their domestic responsibilities. It is worth noting that investment in sustainable natural resource man- agement is a pre-condition for economic growth, healthy population, poverty reduction and prosperity for all. Annually, the Water and Environment sector reviews her performance in as far as achieving set out objectives and targets, clearly identifying the achievement, constraints, challenges, and opportunities as a basis for repositioning for the subsequent years. This process has attracted key stakeholders in the sector including: development partners, political leaders and civil society organisations (CSOs). This position is premised on consideration of the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Sector as a priority to the National Development Plan of Uganda (NDP). It ampli- fies the desires of the people of Uganda to promote sustainable use of environment and natural resources. In this respect, the forestry sub sector among others is considered a primary growth sector, which presents opportunities for wealth creation. The position presents the contribution of ENR CSOs (including: Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment, Africa Institute for Energy Governance, Association of Uganda Profes- sional Women in Agriculture and Environment, CARE Uganda, Community Develop- ment Conservation Agency, Environmental Alert, Greenwatch, International Union for Conservation of Nature, National Association of Professional Environmentalists, Nature Harness Initiative, Nature Palace Foundation, Nature Uganda, Environmental Manage- ment for Livelihood Improvement, Uganda Agroforestry Development Network, Tree Talk, Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development, Uganda Forest Working Group) in sustainable sector development. Furthermore, it highlights critical issues, challenges and recommendations to advance sector performance. It is an output from various con- sultations and reviews of ENR CSO activities and selected Local government repre- sentatives from Mukono, Wakiso, Mubende, Moyo, Hoima, Acholi sub-region and Tororo among others where ENR programs are implemented. Notably, the sector is challenged by the following critical issues which if not addressed would undermine sustained socio -economic transformation in the country: Limited re- sources allocation and re-investment at both local and national levels; Poor governance in the implementation of policies and programs in the sector; limited capacity of CSOs both financially and institutionally to participate effectively in monitoring sector perfor- mance. It is anticipated that the recommendations presented herein will be considered in the ongoing Water and Environment Joint Sector Review, 13-15th October 2010. Photo by Tree Talk: Fig 1. Tree Planting Initiative at a school in Agoro-Agu, Lamwo District For more information contact: Environmental Alert. P.O.Box 11259 Kampala, Uganda. Email: [email protected]; Website: www.envalert.org; Tel: +256-414-510 215
