Population Pressure Fuels Wetland Encroachment in Abongomola, Kwania district

12 September 2025, 1:54 pm

By Joshua Olomo

Rising population pressure in Abongomola Sub County, Kwania District, is driving increased encroachment on wetlands, prompting local leaders to intensify calls for environmental protection and compliance with national laws.

According to Hendy Ogwang, the Community Development Officer (CDO) for Abongomola, limited arable land has forced many residents to cultivate wetlands in a bid to meet food and income needs.

He noted that the situation has worsened due to the misuse of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, with many beneficiaries investing directly in wetland farming.

Recent data from the Kwania District Environment Department shows that Abongomola Sub County now leads the district in levels of wetland cultivation — a trend environmental authorities describe as both unsustainable and illegal.

In response, the district environment department, in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, recently launched an operation to destroy rice fields illegally established in wetlands within the sub-county.

Speaking during his State of the Sub County address, Chairperson Zumbe Adoli Adyeri said the operation was carried out under Section 54 of the National Environment Act, 2019, which promotes the sustainable management and use of wetlands.

Zumbe warned residents and fellow leaders against politicizing environmental protection, urging them instead to amplify messages around conservation and lawful land use.

He also expressed disappointment over continued non-compliance with the presidential directive against wetland cultivation and called for greater accountability from both citizens and local leaders.

Officials say that unless urgent measures are taken to curb further encroachment, the district risks losing vital wetland ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and serve as a buffer against climate change impacts.