The Mpanga Cycad plants

The cycads plants in the area surrounding the Mpanga falls may soon be no more despite their environmental values and the income it generates for the communities around from the tourists and botanist who visit the region. The government of Uganda wishes uses these falls to generate the much need electricity for the development of the country with the help of the South Asia Energy Management Systems. However, environmentalists like Achilles Byaruhanga argue that the destruction of the cycad plants is in contravention of the Convention on Biological Diversity. On the other hand protagonists of the proposed development argue that the economical development that will accompany the development of the 18 Mega Watts hydro power plant far surpasses the need to conserve the area and the cycads plants and the falls and the “paltry” income the Banyaruguru and communities around are getting from the tourism. Achilles Byaruhanga argues that the destruction of these 200-300 year old trees is not worth the construction of the power plant. The cycad plants have been described as the “dinosaurs of Uganda” by many conservationists and tourists around the world.
This is indeed a catch-22 for both developers and conservationists not only in Uganda but around the world. Development without a good conservation program is a definite way to a country to loss out in the end, since there will be no way to ensure continuity of what has been achieved.

The protagonists argue that 200-300 year old plants mean nothing to the poor communities in which they are found. However, if we continue to destroy all that is around us with no regard for environmental impacts that will result we are only shooting ourselves in the foot. It is not any different from bandaging a wound without cleaning it and a not thinking about its proper healing, it will only lead to gangrene.

On the other hand we have to look at ways of fostering development while thinking about the future generations rather than looking at short term goals which are sure to leave us playing catch-up and trying to remedy the situation.

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