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Ugandans Plant Trees to Protect Gorillas, Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict
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News18•24-09-2026, 16:45
Ugandans Plant Trees to Protect Gorillas, Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict
- •Communities near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are planting trees to provide resources for residents, reducing pressure on gorilla habitats.
- •The initiative aims to ensure locals can find necessary trees for medicine, firewood, and crafts outside the park, preventing encroachment on the forest.
- •Bwindi is home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorilla population, which has seen a significant recovery, now classified as endangered.
- •Organizations like Change a Life Bwindi and the Uganda Wildlife Authority are distributing useful tree species, including medicinal ones, and restoring degraded land.
- •The project fosters coexistence between humans and gorillas, generating jobs and revenue through tourism while involving schools in conservation efforts.
Key Questions Answered
Communities are planting trees along the edge of the park to provide alternative sources of medicine, firewood, and crafts for residents. By fulfilling these needs outside the forest, the project reduces human pressure and prevents people from tampering with the gorilla habitat.
The forest is home to about 450 mountain gorillas, which represents close to half of the entire remaining global population.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies mountain gorillas as endangered. This reflects an improvement from their previous status as critically endangered, aided by conservation efforts and tourism.
