The role of wetland policies in the conservation of waterbirds: the case of Uganda

Wetlands in Uganda provide important habitats for birds including several e ndemic species. With the ever increasing pressure to convert wetlands to ag ricultural lands, several species have lost their habitats. while others ha ve become pests due to their opportunistic behaviour in modified habitats. The causes of wetland drainage and conversion in Uganda include population growth, economic reforms and a severe lack of information, legislation and inter-sectoral co-ordination. Community uses of wetlands have clear impacts on waterbirds. At Busolwe (case study 1) there is competition for landuse between Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum and man. Priority community uses of wetlands include fish-farming, agro-forestry and bee-keeping. There is a need for integrating bird conservation into overall wetland conservation o bjectives, especially with the aim of maintaining conditions suitable for w aterbird survival during critical stages of the life-cycle. National wetlan d policies can play an important role in the conservation of waterbirds, as learned from Uganda's experiences. Recommendations for integrating bird co nservation into the national wetland policy framework (as well as into nati onal, district and local level planning processes) are made, which point to close co-operation between stakeholders for better management and on impro ved appreciation of wetlands values.