Ugandans Plant Trees to Protect Bwindi Gorillas

In Uganda, communities living near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are planting trees to reduce their dependence on the forest where endangered mountain gorillas live. This community-led conservation initiative helps protect the gorillas’ natural habitat while providing local families with valuable resources, including firewood, timber, and medicinal plants. Discover how tree planting supports gorilla conservation, improves community livelihoods, and strengthens Uganda’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading destinations for gorilla trekking.

The famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the mountainous hills of southwestern Uganda. Covered in dense vegetation and frequently shrouded in mist, the ancient rainforest is one of the most important habitats for mountain gorillas. Approximately half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in Bwindi, making it a vital stronghold for the survival of this remarkable species.

There is encouraging news for conservationists. Mountain gorilla numbers have increased significantly following decades of conservation efforts. A 2018 census confirmed that the global population had surpassed 1,000 individuals, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the species from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

This recovery represents a major conservation achievement. However, increasing gorilla numbers also bring new challenges. As more gorillas depend on the forest for food, shelter, and breeding, protecting the size and quality of their habitat becomes increasingly important. The gorillas may be increasing in number, but the forest they depend on cannot simply expand to accommodate them.

Why Ugandan Communities Are Planting Trees

For generations, communities living around Bwindi have depended on the surrounding forest for essential resources. Residents have traditionally collected firewood, harvested medicinal plants, obtained timber for construction, and gathered materials for traditional crafts.

Although these activities have supported local livelihoods, excessive harvesting and encroachment have placed pressure on the forest, particularly along the boundaries of the national park. Competition over natural resources has also contributed to tensions between conservation authorities and communities whose daily lives depend on access to the land.

Tree planting offers a practical solution to this challenge. Instead of relying entirely on the protected forest, households can grow useful tree species on their own land. These trees provide alternative sources of firewood, timber, and medicinal products, reducing the need to enter the park to collect them.

Villagers are planting trees near the park boundary, creating a protective buffer between community land and the gorillas’ habitat. The initiative demonstrates that conservation does not have to mean excluding local people from the benefits of natural resources. With appropriate support, communities can meet many of their needs while helping protect the forest.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which manages Uganda’s national parks, supports initiatives that encourage communities to participate in conservation. Joseph Muhindo, who works with UWA, has highlighted the importance of providing seedlings to nearby households so that residents can grow useful trees close to their homes.

Many of these species have medicinal or practical value. By making such resources more accessible outside the protected area, the initiative helps reduce pressure on Bwindi while strengthening relationships between conservation authorities and neighbouring communities.

The People Behind Bwindi’s Tree-Planting Project

At the heart of this conservation initiative are local people who understand that the future of their livelihoods is closely connected to the health of the forest.

Christina Katushabe leads the effort through Change a Life Bwindi, a community organisation involved in distributing seedlings and restoring degraded land. Living close to the national park, she has witnessed the challenges facing both the forest and the people who depend on it.

Katushabe has emphasised the imbalance between growing gorilla numbers and the limited space available to them. Her work aims to address this problem by encouraging residents to plant useful trees, protect existing vegetation, and find sustainable ways to benefit from their surrounding environment.

The Batwa people also play an important role in the initiative. As the Indigenous people historically associated with the Bwindi forest, they possess valuable traditional knowledge about forest plants, their uses, and their ecological importance.

Their involvement helps identify tree species that can meet community needs without undermining conservation goals. Trees used for traditional medicine, household energy, and construction can provide practical alternatives to harvesting resources from the protected forest. Their knowledge also contributes to understanding the relationship between people, plants, and the wider ecosystem.

Women are actively involved in these efforts as well. Eunice Owembabazi, a member of a women’s group that produces crafts for sale to visitors, has participated in planting trees near the park. Among the species mentioned in the initiative are eucalyptus and grey goosefoot, locally known as Amakwatangwe.

For women involved in craft production and other small businesses, conservation can create opportunities to improve household incomes while protecting the natural environment on which tourism depends. Planting trees also encourages communities to consider how today’s decisions will affect future generations.

However, successful tree planting requires choosing appropriate species and planting them in suitable locations. Fast-growing trees may provide useful resources, but they should not replace native forest vegetation or damage sensitive habitats. Careful planning can help ensure that the project benefits both residents and biodiversity.

Educating the Next Generation About Forest Conservation

The initiative extends beyond individual households to schools, where young people are learning about the importance of trees and environmental protection.

Katushabe has taken the tree-planting campaign into local schools, encouraging students to participate in planting activities and learn how to care for young trees. This approach helps children understand that conservation is not simply the responsibility of wildlife authorities or environmental organisations. It is something that individuals and communities can practise every day.

One of the students involved is Davis, a 20-year-old attending Ruhija Seed Secondary School, located near the forest.

He explains that the objective is to protect the forest and keep gorillas healthy while ensuring that communities can benefit from trees grown near their homes. By providing alternative sources of essential resources, the initiative seeks to discourage people from cutting down trees inside the protected area.

School-based environmental education can have lasting benefits. Students who learn about conservation today may become tomorrow’s environmental leaders, tourism professionals, community organisers, and responsible landowners. They can also share what they learn with their families, helping conservation awareness spread beyond the classroom.

The campaign has also been associated with activities around World Gorilla Day, observed annually on September 24. The occasion raises awareness about mountain gorillas and the need to protect their habitats, while highlighting the contributions of communities living alongside these extraordinary animals.