Despite of very density of population, the country has managed to set aside 10 % of the territory for conservation activities.

BY: ANGE DE LA VICTOIRE DUSABEMUNGU

On 28^th May, 2012, in a press conference held at Umubano Hotel, Hon. Minister Stanislas Kamanzi said that Rwanda has so far made significant achievement in sustainable management of Environment and Natural Resources.

The conference was in line with the preparation of World Environment Day which Rwanda will celebrate on 5^th June, 2012.

R-L: Dr Rose Mukankomeje, Minister Stanislas KAMANZI, PS/MINALOC,
The Mayor of KIGALI, Fidel NDAYISABA

Hon. Minister Stanislas Kamanzi revealed that Rwanda will celebrate this international event by conducting different activities including the management of water bodies, sensitizing citizens to harvest rain water, planting trees to protect land from soil erosion and raising awareness among Rwandans to use bio-gas instead of using trees for cooking.

Responding to questions from journalists, Stanislas Kamanzi said that despite of very density of population, the country has managed to set aside 10 % of the territory for conservation activities.

In line with increasing forest cover, the Minister said that the aim is to have 30% of territory being covered by forests and now the figure stands at 23,4% of coverage country wide.

“Another huge achievement is that Rwanda has stopped the use of bio-degradable plastic materials, and that is something which is unique to Rwanda” Kamanzi said

Hon. Minister Stanislas Kamanzi added that the country has managed to protect most of the water bodies whereby they provide for protection of buffer zones for 50 meters around lake showers, 20 meters around wetlands and 10 meters around rivers.

“Even if we have not been able to manage a 100% in terms of enforcing risks, I can, without any doubt, ascertain that we are 70% in terms of basic things.” He added. He mentioned examples of wetlands which were restored and now play a role in different ecosystem functions.

Kamanzi added that good progresses in terms of reforestation were made. However, the challenges are post plantation management country wide.

“One of the way to address this issue was the establishment of afforestation task forces in level of each district led by the vice Mayors in charge of economic affairs and this occurred starting last year for the season 2011-2012” He said

After establishment of those task forces, the rate of tree survival after planting has gone much higher than before.

“We have put in place a scheme for each planted area whereby we provide budget for the protection of planted seedlings to ensure its growth until they become real trees.” He said

During the occasion, Fidel Ndayisaba, the mayor of Kigali city called up on Kigali city residents who have buildings and farms in wetlands to relocate as means of avoiding accidents that might be caused by disasters like flooding among others, adding that we should respect wetlands boundaries.

Dr Rose Mukankomeje of Rwanda Environment Management Authority added that removing human activities in wetlands is to protect natural resources as everyone needs them for her or his survival.

She added that no investors can begin the development activities without the assessment of impacts that those activities will have to environment. The practice is known as Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA)