Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda
Joint biodiversity programme
Our partnership with WWF in Rwenzori Mountains will bring deforestation and loss of biodiversity to a halt by enhancing management and collaboration with local residents on alternative and sustainable livelihoods.
Sustaining the planet's biodiversity
The Rwenzori Mountains cover nearly 1,000 square kilometres of lush hillside, also known as the Mountains of the Moon. Located on the boarder between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo the national park is a Key Biodiversity Area and also nominated as a Biodiversity hotspot.
The area is considered a national "water tower" providing 2 million people with fresh water, and both businesses and the population are depending on the area for access to water, farming, fishing, hydro power, transportation, industrial production etc.
Under threat
The area is under threat from deforestation, poaching and habitat fragmentation. Significant growth (est. 3.6% per year) in an already dense population combined with extensive poverty means very limited access to farming land, jobs, construction materials and fire wood.
Subsequently pushing the population further in to the park with illegal felling and poaching as result.
WWF strives to uphold the necessary park management and protection of the area, but the current income is insufficient to halt a massive deforestation and substantial loss of biodiversity.
