Gulu Council City environment department is set to start redemarcation of two major wetland boundaries.
The move comes amidst increasing encroachment and destruction of the wetlands that are already threatening their natural existence.
The wetlands boundaries to be redemarcated are Pece Stream which snakes through the divisions of Bardege-Layibi and Pece Laroo Divisions and Oitino wetland in Bardege-Layibi Division.
Joyce Alimo, Gulu City Environment Officer told the press Wednesday that the demarcation exercise will kick off on Thursday and will be implemented by a team from the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Alimo says the exercise seeks to restore the old boundaries of the wetlands that have been encroached on and protect them from further degradation.
She says the wetlands play significant roles within the city in conserving biodiversity and offering water for both domestic use and agriculture.
According to Alimo, the population boom within the city is to blame for the rapid degradation of the wetland for farming, housing, and washing bays.
The redemarcation exercise also comes as Gulu City Council is gearing up to host the national World Wetland Day for the first time slated for February 2 this year. The celebration which is expected to be graced by President Yoweri Museveni will be held under the theme “Wetlands and human wellbeing”.
Alimo says the event is expected to be attended by 2,500 people from within and all over the country.
Already, the city council has been allocated a budget of 45 million shillings to host the event.
Gulu City Deputy Mayor Christine Olok noted that the event will help to instill awareness of the importance of wetlands and deter community members from encroachment and destruction of the available wetlands.
George Ovola, an environmental activist in Gulu City says the event is a blessing and should help in curbing the environmental destruction not only in the city but the region that has witnessed a decline in natural covers of forest and wetlands.
Ovola lauded the city council officials and the government for taking a bold step to redemarcate the boundaries of the wetlands currently facing extinction and noted that as activists, they will join hands in protecting the environment.
Gulu has seen significant loss of wetland coverage over the years with officials estimating about 60,000 of wetlands have already been destroyed or encroached on.
Since last year, city officials have been locked in a battle to save a section of Pece Stream within the city center where an investor intends to establish a petrol station. City council officials and environmental activists have however halted the planned reclamation of the area for the petrol station development.
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