Location
Echuya Forest Reserve is located western Uganda in the districts of Kisoro and Kabale. The forest range runs between Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Importance of the forest
The forest acts as the water catchment area for the wildlife and people living around the forest. It is home to over 150 species of birds eighteen of which are endemic to the reserve, including the globally threatened Gravers Swamp Warbler and 124 species of plants.
Vegetation
It has a high quality bamboo and the vegetation is mainly montane rainforest.
Attractions
It is a home of 150 species of birds, 19 small mammal species, bamboo woodland and montane rainforest.
Forest encroachment
The reserve is surrounded by densely populated areas with people encroaching on the forest for many purposes including agricultural purposes.
Ecotourism
National Forestry Authority is working with the Echuya community to develop eco-tourism and conserve nature in the forest reserve through the following actions;
- Application and promotion of sustainable forestry enterprises.
- Sharing of resources for implementation of mutually agreed upon activities.
- Formalizing arrangement for piloting a community based ecotourism activities within part of the buffer zone in Echuya Central Forest Reserve,
- Developing enabling working environment and modalities to enhance joint planning and implementation of conservation interventions in Echuya Central Forest Reserve,
- Promoting Collaborative Management arrangement among interest parties to ensure the health of Echuya Central Forest Reserve to provide sustainable supply of forestry goods and services to the local forest-edge communities and the general public.