By Godwin Abedican

Arua

With the need to prepare land for farming, new pasture growth for animal grazing, construction and a belief of sending away snakes, many people across West Nile still practice bush burning.

But with the dangers associated to the vice, the local leaders and environmentalists are warning of the dire consequences of this action in the current time and years to come.

According to Darleti Marlon, the chairperson LC1 of Yivu village Arivu Sub County in Arua district, this practice has led to a number of conflicts among people in his area that he continues to deal with “As being the food basket of the district and Arua city, we have a lot of problems as a result of this action of some people because there are some incidences in which fire goes ahead and burns crops in the fields, something which is affecting food production and supply in the market as well as affecting our food security.” he noted with concern.

Bush burning in is the act of setting fire to vegetation, either intentionally or accidentally. It is a common occurrence during the dry season when the grasses and weeds are dry and flammable a practice which is very common in the region of West Nile.

Meanwhile, Favorite Edeti, the Environment Officer for Ayivu division Arua city says, a lot of attention needs to be paid towards prevention of this practice given its negative effects. ”In Ayivu division, there people who still do bush burning. Absolutely it’s not right to do that. In rural areas they just set it there and it burns day and night.” Edeti said.

Alex Oriema, the Environment Officer for Nebbi district reiterates that, given people’s attitudes and beliefs a lot needs to be done in line with mindset change
According to the environment act, notwithstanding the Local Governments Act or any other written law to the contrary, the burning of grass by any person is prohibited in all areas of Uganda, except under authority and under the supervision of specified public officers.

COVER PHOTO: Harmattan By Godwin Abedican