Ugandan communities plant trees to protect gorilla habitats

Local communities near Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are planting trees to protect the habitat of mountain gorillas. As the gorilla population grows, the available forest area remains limited, creating pressure on the ecosystem. By planting trees for medicine, firewood, and crafts along the park's edge, residents can meet their needs without encroaching on the protected forest.

Bwindi is home to approximately 450 mountain gorillas, nearly half of the global population. The species is currently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a recovery from its previous status as critically endangered.

Organizations such as Change a Life Bwindi, founded by Christina Katushabe, work alongside the Batwa Indigenous community to select specific species for reforestation. The Uganda Wildlife Authority also supports these efforts by distributing seedlings to ensure residents can harvest necessary resources outside the gorilla habitat.