Tree Planting was officially launched in Kirehe

On 19^th Nov. 2011 The National Tree Planting was officially launched in Kirehe District by the Prime Minister, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi.

Over 50,000 trees were planted on 25 hectares in Kiyanzi village, Nyamugari sector.

Addressing hundreds of residents, the PM said that government was committed to planting trees and protecting forests in the country.

He thanked residents of the district for their commitment in increasing Forest cover adding that forests are crucial for the livelihoods of population.

 “Forests are essential for the lives of people and vice versa. We must respect the interrelationship existing between us and the forests” he said.

The Premier reminded the residents that the forests in the country do not match with the needs of the people.

“Our country’s surface area covered by forests is only 22%...this is not enough owing to the huge demand for trees. Our tourism industry also needs the forests in order to blossom”.

Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of the Eastern Province, said that the province was committed more than any ever to plant trees.

She noted that at least 16 million trees would be planted to cater for the vast bare hills in the Province.

The Mayor of the district, Protais Murayire, said that the challenges that affected tree planting were overcome.

“Cattle, ant hills, etc used to destroy the trees we planted. But the people’s awareness coupled with availability of suitable tree species, have checked the issue,” Murayire said.

He added that the District is targeting to plant 16 000 of Agro forestry species and planting about 56 Km of trees planted alongside the roads.

In his speech, the Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Stanislas Kamanzi urged Kirehe residents to actively participate in the management and protection of planted trees to ensure its growth.

He asked residents to cultivate agroferestry species in order to be able to access food while at the same time protecting Environment.

The Forestry sector is playing key roles in supporting the livelihood of all Rwandans especially by providing most of the energy consumed by the bulk population, controlling soil erosion and protecting water catchments and supplying other goods and ecological services.

The Vision 2020 and EDPRS set clear target to increase national forest cover up to 30% of space being covered by forests and for the forestry sector to play increasing role in national economy.