NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi has urged District Environment officers to sensitise Rwandans on the importance of planting more trees.

"Trees help to produce the oxygen we breathe, absorb poisonous gases in the atmosphere and is a source of rainfall needed for agricultural production,” said Kamanzi.

He was addressing District Environment officers hailing from all districts in the country at one-day seminar-held at Gicumbi district hall on Friday.

The seminar, also attended by Sector agronomists, precedes the national tree planting week whose tentative date is November 24-29.

Asking participants to increase tree nursery beds in their localities, the minister cautioned participants against allowing citizens to fell trees. "Mature trees which are cut should immediately be replaced,” he added. 

Emille Nyakagabo, the Gicumbi District Environment officer, said the district receives rainfall four times in a year which favors the growth of all tree species.

This, he said, coupled with many lakes and swamps, has enabled the district to plant over 6,000 hectares of trees.

The minister together with the participants later inspected a tree nursery bed at Gihembe refugee camp-where 4,500 nursery trees were planted by Gicumbi District in collaboration with the International Refugee Committee (IRC). 

Also in attendance was the Director of the National Forestry Authority (NAFA) Frank Rutabingwa, and the Executive Secretary of Gicumbi District, Maxmilien Niyonzima, who represented Mayor Bonane Nyangezi.

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