By Johnson Kanyesige
The National Forest Authority (NFA) has commenced a decisive forest management operation to remove illegally planted trees from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) corridor in Taala Central Forest located in Kyankwanzi district.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and authored by Mr. Aldon Walukamba, the Communications and Public Relations Manager of the Authority, the land designated for the pipeline route was critically assessed and mapped in 2018 and the project affected persons (PAPs) were given ample time to harvest their crops before voluntarily vacating the area, adding that NFA was also dully compensated for all the trees within the EACOP corridor.
The Authority says that no individual or entity holds a license to plant trees in the pipeline corridor adding that any tree planted after the official mapping and compensation exercise is illegal and such trees are subjected for removal. He says this action is a lawful necessity to protect the EACOP right of way and other national interests.
“The removal exercise is being conducted in close coordination with the Environmental Police and local leaders to ensure enforcement is lawful, fair, and respectful of human rights” the statement adds.
According to the Authority, the ongoing exercise is not only for the successful implementation of the EACOP project but also critical to safeguarding the ecological integrity of the treasured forest ecosystem in the Country.
