Over 400 farmers who have been digging and surviving on Abera Forest have been stopped with immediate effect.
Abera Forest that was gazetted in 1948 is located in Gulu district measuring 1212 hecters which is approximately 2995 acres, the local community have had the opportunity of digging the forest land ever since it was gazetted up to now.
Speaking to Favour FM, the LC111 chairperson Unyama subcounty Justine Kidega, says that National Forest Authority has officially notified the farmers to stop any farming activities for the second season with immediate effect, they should only remove what still exists in the forest which they planted last season.
Kidega says, that the community is asking for one last chance from the Forest Authority to allow them dig only the second season and then leave because right now it appears so abrupt and it will only mean hunger will strike their families since they have nowhere else to farm.
Kidega thanked the forest authority for not using force on the community and for giving the community a listening ear; he further urges them to consider giving the community just one more chance of utilizing the Forest land in second season.
Lakot Vicky, a resident of Unyama subcounty confesses that she has been digging from the Forest ever since she was born and beg that they be given some time to adjust.
Rebecca Ekwany
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