Echuya Central Forest Reserve
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The Echuya Central Forest Reserve is a forest reserve in Uganda. This typical tropical rainforest covers approximately 34 km2 and is located at the intersection of Kisoro and Rubanda districts. It is one of the few remaining tropical rain forests in Uganda.[1][2]
Location
Echuya Central Forest Reserve is located in southwestern Uganda in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District and Rubanda County of Kabale District.[3][4] This forest reserve can easily be accessed through the Kabale-Kisoro road. The drive from Kampala to Echuya Central Forest Reserve is about 8 hours.[1]
Ecology
This forest is a global biodiversity site. It is an Important Bird Area[1] with many threatened and endemic bird species; of an estimated 153 bird species, 18 are endemic. Birds that may be sighted include the red-throated alethe, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, Kivu ground thrush, red-faced woodland warbler, dwarf honeyguide, Archer's robin-chat, strange weaver, Doherty's bushshrike, regal sunbird, Rwenzori batis, white-eyed slaty flycatcher and others. Grauer's warbler is a globally threatened bird species.[2][1]
The forest has a total of 127 tree species, 72 species of herbs, and 46 species of shrubs. Approximately 80% of the forest cover is mature Macaranga kilimandscharia and Hagenia abyssinica and 20% is high-quality mountain bamboo known as Yushania alpina.[1][2][5]
This forest was also once[citation needed] a home to the Batwa pygmies who used to hunt animals and gather fruit and firewood.[2]
It is also a home to 10 recorded species. Three carnivore species were recorded: African golden cat (Caracal aurata), serval (Leptailurus serval) and side-striped jackal (Canis adustus). The forest also has 53 butterfly species and 43 moth species.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Echuya Forest Reserve". Bamboo Ecotours. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ a b c d e "Echuya Forest - Places to Visit | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park". 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Echuya Forest - NFA Uganda". 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "Echuya Forest Reserve | Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation". itfc.must.ac.ug. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Visit Echuya Forest". Inside Mgahinga National Park. Retrieved 2024-06-17.