Healthy wetlands for the cranes and people of Rukiga, Uganda

Our extensive research and community consultations highlight the drivers of biodiversity loss on Rakia’s largely degraded and climate impacted wetlands are interrelated: Finite land being available for subsistence farming; unsustainable harvesting of wetland plants; pollution from unsustainable agricultural practices; and a growing human population needing to sub-divide agricultural land between children (compounded by having larger families than they would choose due to inadequate health services). Limited livelihood opportunities and health services leaves families with little choice but to convert remaining wetland/hillslope indigenous forests. The people of Rukiga understand the connections between these issues and are calling for a holistic response. Our approach combines climate-smart agricultural livelihood creation, habitat restoration, healthcare service provision and community capacity development responding to needs identified by the communities. Connected challenges are responded to by integrating livelihood and health actions which amplify each other, coupled with broader landscape habitat interventions. When conservation, livelihood and human health actions are integrated we can ensure long-term conservation outcomes by focussing on systemic issues identified by data and the local community. By incorporating the family planning service provision which has been requested by the community, a goodwill effect in relation to conservation action results whilst simultaneously enabling additional avenues for community engagement on conservation messages (via the health system). Although not an IUCN member, Rugarama Hospital is a critical partner in programmatic delivering with the three IUCN members (Margaret Pyke Trust, International Crane Foundation and Endangered Wildlife Trust).