Rwandans have been urged to efficiently use natural resources and protect them with eco-friendly activities.

Evode Imena, the minister of state in charge of mining, made the call while addressing residents of Rutsiro District during national celebrations to mark the World Environment Day, on Friday.

"The natural resources have been there before us, we have to sustain them so that generations after us can also benefit from them,” he said.

The Day was observed under the theme, "Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet. Consume with Care,” a theme meant to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable production, consumption and sustainable lifestyles.

The day featured community work, where residents were engaged in rehabilitation of part of Mukura forest degraded by illegal mining.

"In few days, this forest is going to be a national park, so you have to know that no other activity is allowed to be done in this forest apart from visits and conservation activities. Minimise all activities which degrade this forest in favour of the rehabilitating ones,” Minister Imena said.

New law in offing

A draft law that seeks to turn Gishwati-Mukura forest reserve into a national park is presently before Parliament for scrutiny.

The forest reserve is located in Ngororero and Rutsiro districts in Western Province.

On the same day, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) launched the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC) project designed for the rehabilitation of Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves.

The $10 million (about Rwf6.9 billion) LAFREC project is funded by the World Bank.

It mainly seeks to restore the highly degraded landscape of Gishwati and Mukura by boosting the land management of these forests thereby improving not only the environment and climate resilience in this area but also improving the livelihoods of the surrounding dwellers, Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the director-general of REMA, explained.

"We call upon everyone to be fully supportive of this project as its success will be beneficial for Rutsiro people, our country and the world as well,” Dr Mukankomeje said, adding that the project will particularly upgrade Mukura-Gishwati up to a national park.

In Rwanda, the World Environment Day was preceded by the National Environment Week, which was launched on May 30 in all districts of the country.

There were different activities carried out, including sensitising people to promote sustainable production based on resource efficiency and cleaner practices in public and private institutions.