FOR most people, development of big cities is associated with sky hugging state-of-the-art structures.

In many great cities across the world, investors have encroached on every green area in the name of development. This has seen investors encroach on wetlands amidst cries from environmentalists that such acts are a time bomb in the face of climate change.

With the threat posed by climate change, cities should be looking at a green economy approach to development. Indeed, the City of Kigali has, over the years, embarked on a policy that embraces green development.

But what is even more laudable is the plan to turn Nyandungu wetland into an urban wetland recreation and eco-tourism park.

The park, that is expected to generate over Rwf1bn profit in the first 12 years of operation, is a timely innovation, and its implementation should be expedited.

The Rwf2.4 billion green economy project, financed by Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), will go a long way in boosting tourism. It is also revenue source for the country and will create job opportunities for the youth, and business opportunities for people living around the proposed park.

According to Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), rapid growth and human activities in Kigali have led to a decrease in diversity of bird species, habitat and other wildlife biodiversity, which used to be present before encroachment on the wetland, which has been ear-marked for the project.

The project, which is expected to restore and conserve wetland ecosystems on 130 hectares over a period of five years, should be an example to other satellite cities in the country to pick a leaf.

As Rwanda positions itself as a tourism hub, such innovations should be replicated in different cities across the country.