Status: An Important Bird Area (IBA)
Location: Kabale district in south western Uganda
Altitude: 1930 metres above sea level
Size: 27.9 km²

Issues:

• High population density 350 persons per km² hence pressure on environmental resources
• Soils that have lost fertility over time
• Areas highly prone and consequently affected by soil erosion
• Wetland degradation 

Biodiversity composition:

• Birds – 131 bird species with an endemic species – the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, 31 butterfly species recorded
• Plant species – 208 species recorded

History: Name Nyamuriro is derived from Iyamuriro meaning – place for rain charming.
High population densities faced with reducing soil fertility resulted into encroachment on the wetland. Draining began in the 1970s by communities first practicing wetland edge gardening with vegetables then followed by intensive crop growing which went deeper into the wetland reaching complete conversion in 1998.

NatureUganda with financial support from USAID (through Prime West) embarked on conservation project in 2007. Sensitization of communities by NatureUganda and Kabale district local government started in 2007. During the consultative meetings held the following resolutions were reached:

• Establish and empower wetland management committees
• Undertake to demarcate and zone Nyamuriro wetland into crop areas and non crop areas
• To gazette 50 ft buffer zone on either side of River Ruhuuma (draining in the middle of the wetland) as a “no cultivation” zone.
• Set aside uncultivated areas on the edges of the wetland as reserves
• Plant papyrus in the buffer area, therefore shielding the river Ruhuuma from silting and in turn reduce the speed flow
• Establish water and soil conservation structures on the hill slopes facing the Nyamuriro wetland to reduce the rate of run offs to the wetland, and in consequence mitigating soil erosion.
• Introduce and demonstrate with appropriate income generating activities that would replace and solve wetland over dependence.
• Furrowing sessions in the cultivation zone to allow for nutrient replenishment and allowing for progressive withdrawal from the wetland
• Plant trees on the severely eroded hill slopes to stop further erosion and provide fire wood and timber in future
• Crane monitoring to be done regularly

Achievements:

• A community based wetland management plan is in place
• A vibrant wetland management committee is place at Nyamuriro wetland. They have been facilitated to initiate formation of bye laws to support sustainable use of the wetland.
• 11 wetland reserves in place at various wetland edges
• Wetland restoration (replanting with papyrus) especially along the river Ruhuuma covering about 1 km². This is defined by demarcations with signposts that signify “No Encroachment”
• Over 2.5 km² of wetland established as a result of dammed drainage channels in Ndeego – Shanjare area.
• Soil and water conservation structures (trenches) commonly known as “fanya juu – fanya chini” established as demonstrations at 4 areas facing the wetland
• Wetland friendly enterprises established on wetland edges. These include fish farming and bee keeping.
• Establishment of wetland adjacent area based enterprises/ interventions i.e. goat keeping and fruit growing
• Five pairs of cranes breeding at the wetland
• Eco tourism developed for Nyamuriro wetland

Photos:

Figure above: Degradation at Nyamuriro wetland

Figure above: Steep slopes that encourage soil erosion

Figure above: Soil and water conservation structure digging

Figure above: Wetland restoration at Nyamuriro wetland

Figure above: Community involvement in restoration

Figure above: Wetland demarcation at Nyamuriro wetland

Figure above: Income generative activities - honey harvesting gear for the Abajuki group

Figure above: Part of the restoring area at Nyamuriro wetland

Figure above: Fish from the wetland is a source of protein and income to the communities

Figure above: The management committee poses with Jimmy (left - the project coordinator)