Annet Kyomuhendo, a charcoal dealer in Kigongi in Central division Kabale municipality says that she now sells a sack of charcoal at 30,000 from 20,000 Shillings and a basin at 6,000 from 3,000 Shillings.
Conservationists argue that once the forest is under UWA, it can also be turned into a national park since it is a habitat for rare bird species and will help promote tourism in the area.
They argue that by turning Lake Bunyonyi into a Ramsar site, it will help in protecting its nature and waterfowl habitat. They also say that its consideration into a Ramsar site will help in the promotion of tourism.
Evas Asiimwe, the Kabale District Environment Officer, says there is need to introduce tougher laws to protect grey crested cranes, which are hunted for food by locals and sale in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.