Introduction
Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve (TSWR) lies near the western border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). TSWR covers an area of 542 square kilometers and was established as a game reserve in 1926 to protect the large population of Uganda kob (Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA], 2007). It is among the first Protected Areas (PAs) in Uganda to be gazetted. It is located in the districts of Ntoroko and Kabarole.
The TSWR takes up most of the western Great Rift Valley floor between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert, two of the geographically, geologically, and ecologically unique features that surround the reserve (Hunt, 2016). It is bordered in the north by the Rwangara Community Wildlife Area and the Semliki Flats formally a Controlled Hunting Area (CHA). The Ntoroko-Kanara Wildlife Sanctuary borders the northeastern tip of the reserve, adjoining Lake Albert. The top of the Rift Valley escarpment forms the eastern boundary. The Rwenzori Mountains foothills lie to the south of the reserve.
The reserve is traversed by a number of river systems: the Wasa River system, which flows from the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Albert through the savanna, woodland, and forest systems of the wildlife reserve; Mugiri River system; and Nyaburogo. At the periphery is River Muzizi, which forms part of the northern boundary.
The entire landscape of TSWR and its neighboring environs is habitat to the majestic Shoebill stork. The Shoebill stork is popular species among bird enthusiasts, making TSWR a popular birder destination. TSWR also harbors unique flora and fauna, as detailed in this atlas.
Recent petroleum development initiatives in the Albertine Graben, particularly the demarcation of the Kanywataaba exploration block, triggered the need to undertake an environmental sensitivity analysis to identify areas of high sensitivities[1], which should guide decision making for placement for various development projects. Additional triggers arose from other projects related to hydropower, upgrading of the Karugutu-Ntoroko Road, transmission lines, and gravity water schemes.
This Environmental Sensitivity Atlas (ESA) is conceived from the overall ESA for the Albertine Graben, 2010, the Environment Monitoring Plan for the Albertine Graben (2012–2017), and borrows from the experiences garnered through the development of the Murchison Falls Protected Area Sensitivity Atlas (2014) and Queen Elizabeth Protected Area Sensitivity Atlas.
[1] By virtue of the fact that this is a protected area, the entire reserve is sensitivity to development. This sensitivity atlas seeks to identify parts of the reserve that are more sensitive than others for purposes of guiding future management decisions and choices.
The TSWR ESA will complement the General Management Plan (GMP) for the reserve that details the general management objectives, actions, and zoning for the reserve.