Tailor-made : In the News

Ugandan rainforest saved from destruction: 07-11-2007

A wildlife reserve in Uganda that was due to be destroyed to make way for biofuel crops has been saved thanks to a study that showed it would earn more money from eco-tourism.

Sugar cane was due to be planted in planted in place of over 7,000 hectares of the Mabira rainforest but after protests the Ugandan government changed its mind.

"This is a tragedy averted," Paul Buckley, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) told the Times.

"Now Uganda has a brilliant opportunity to really make the most of its wildlife jewels. The site is famous with eco-tourists and slicing it up made no economic sense whatsoever."

The study, conducted by conservation group NatureUganda, showed that the benefits of protecting the forest outstripped the potential of bio-fuel crops.

The Mariba rainforest was designated an unspoilt haven for 300 species of birds and 200 types of trees, some of which are unique to the area.