A closer look at one of the calderas on Mount Elgon, Uganda
As of June 2023, Mount Elgon makes it to the list of 23 Transboundary Biosphere Reserves designated by UNESCO. The designation of this mountain with the largest volcanic base in the whole World (4,000 square kilometers) is a tangible proof that humanity can thrive in balance with Mother Nature. Just like all Biosphere Reserves, Mount Elgon promotes innovative local solutions so as to conserve Biodiversity, preserving unique ecosystems as well as tackling climate change while improving the livelihood of the people through developing agro-ecology, renewable energy sources and green industries.
Of the 23 Biosphere Reserves, Mount Elgon is the only Transboundary Reserve on the list. The recognition of Mount Elgon as a Transboundary Biosphere integrates the water tower functions of this Biosphere Reserve in Kenya as well as Uganda, support the livelihoods of the people, survival of forests and wildlife, and offering a wide array of ecosystem functions.
Mount Elgon is haven to more than 300 species of birds that include the endangered Lammergeyer, a number of mammals such we forest elephants, forest buffaloes, rodents and others, attributed to its incredible diversity of unique ecosystems as well as species of wildlife and flora that are distributed across the four different ecological zones marked by different vegetation types that change with altitude. There’s a mixed montane forest, a Bamboo forest, a low canopy forest, a sub-alpine montane heath as well as an Alpine Moorland in areas of higher altitudes.
The slopes of the Mountain and the surrounding areas has a population of about 1150000 living between Uganda and the neighboring Kenya. These areas are mainly occupied by Bagishu, Sabiny, Sabaot, Teso, Sebei and Luhya among other local communities that primarily depend on Agriculture for subsistence and livelihood. While these local communities rely on Mount Elgon for its bamboo shoots, medicinal purposes, firewood/timber, vegetables, fodder, mushrooms, salt for cattle and thatching grass, there are also a number of conservations programmes and initiatives implemented to secure community support to ensure proper conservation of the ecosystem. 
Mount Elgon used to be the highest Mountain in Africa (even more that Mount Kilimanjaro’s present 5895 meters above sea level) but due to years of erosion, its height reduced to the current 4321 meters above sea level hence making it the 4th highest mountain in the East African region and the 8th highest in Africa. Besides Mount Elgon, Queen Elizabeth National Park is another UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Uganda, designated in 1979. Other sites awaiting approval from UNESCO include Lake Mburo National Park, Budongo Forest, Mount Morungole, Mabira Forest, the Lake Victoria Basin, Mount Moroto, Sango Bay, to mention but a few.