WWF hailed for fostering value addition on timber
By Racheal Nuwahereza
The Minister of state for youth and children affairs, Hon. Nyirabashitsi Sarah Mateke has appreciated the World Wide fund for Nature (WWF)’s efforts towards value addition on timber.
While presiding over the launch of the strategic road map for Kisoro timber dealers and carpenters cooperative society limited at Mubano hotel in Kisoro town, Mateke said that value addition should start from seedling, to planting, management up to harvesting with quality machines in cutting.
Mateke applauded WWF for assisting in developing a strategic road map that will help to add value on timber to ensure export market.
She urged the members of the community to appreciate the importance of conserving nature including the surrounding national parks like Ichuya forest reserve which generate income and further appealed for international community to come to Kisoro district to invest in the gifted resources for tourism and economic development.
Alex Ndambajimana, the vice Chairperson Kisoro district appreciated WWF for the efforts towards helping the indigenous people, the Batwa to conserve their cultural heritage.
He noted that they are challenged by poor road network for tourism adding that it’s only Kisoro district that has the most beautiful short river in the world plus golden monkeys not seen anywhere in the world.
David Duli, the WWF Country Director said that WWF is there to bring glory of having the environmental supporting production systems and services that come naturally in having healthy environment to facilitate development activities.
He said timber and trees is one of the most common economic activities in south western Uganda and it’s when World Wide Fund for nature comes in to ensure sustainable development of natural resource management where trees are performing their functions.
Additionally, WWF offered a grant in form of revolving fund of UGX 20 million for the cooperative society for members to borrow and pay back at affordable interest rate.
