Forests:
Natural forests in Tororo have been cleared to create fields for crop and livestock production, raw materials for construction and furniture, fuel for cooking and burning of bricks. Deforestation took place 30 years back as a result for a need for more cultivatable land, also due to Population pressure (307 density, 2.4% growth rate), which was responsible for the devegetation. In order to reverse the state of affairs, the District has developed a programme for short-term timber tree planting. The District council has passed an environmental protection ordinance, and developed the district environmental action plan. In the past five years there has been advocacy to plant trees for wood fuel and firewood; the response has been limited to one out of 200 households.
Soil Erosion and fertility decline:
Since there is clearance of vegetation, and cultivation without fallow in most of the parishes, there is soil erosion and leaching of nutrients. Soil fertility decline is observable on the declining crop and pasture yields. Soil analysis reports indicate low organic matter of below 6.8%, which is the critical level. Road construction has lead to excavation of marrum which has created barrow pits, most of which are not refilled hence becoming an environmental issue however currently all contracts to be signed has provisions for filling these pits
Wetlands:
Population pressure on upland for crop production has pushed the community to reclaim wetlands for crop production especially rice. In Tororo and West Budama counties, most of shallow wetlands have been converted to arable land. Major wetlands are still in existence in the county of West Budama. However, the reclamation and rice cultivation continue to reduce the remaining wetlands.
District wetland Action Plan and DEAP are programmes set in the District to mitigate the negative impacts.
Poor Sanitation:
This problem is high in the urban centres. The mushrooming trading centres and towns, set without Physical Planning, have no Sold Waste Disposal Systems. Latrines are lacking in markets, Urban Centres and Roadside Eating-houses. Some homes lack pit latrines, school sanitation is below the expected standard. These need vigorous supervision, if good health status is to be maintained and disease out break is to be prevented. Other issues include overgrazing, riverbank cultivation, hill slope cultivation, quarrying and road works impacts. Many issues come up daily as the population grows. This Action Plan is set to be reviewed from time to time to include new issues. This Action Plan, therefore, calls for all stakeholders in the District, well wishers and friends from Uganda and abroad to join in the struggle of Sustainable Management of our Natural Resources and Environment.
Development projects, their impact on environment and proposed mitigation measures
As earlier mentioned all sectors have integrated environment concerns highlighted in the District Environment Action Plan. Most projects to be under taken are environmentally friendly, for instance soil conservation and tree planting, however some projects that have impact on the environment have been indicated and mitigation measures proposed.