Local forestry conservation bodies subscribed to the Central African Regional Program for Environment (CARPE), yesterday met to assess the progress that has been made in the previous term and chart a way forward.

During the meeting which took place at the ministry of Natural Resources (MINENFRA), activists called upon the public to join the forest conservation campaign by initiating different initiatives.

While opening the meeting, the Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, commended the work done by the conservationists in the country saying that that their efforts have contributed much to the country’s target of safeguarding natural resources.

According to Thadée Habiyambere the head of CARPE, the coming together of stakeholders not only serves to evaluate their performance but also works to create a pool of ideas and innovations to solve emerging challenges.  

"This is intended to bring together all stakeholders in the forestry conservation field to share ideas, evaluate our selves and set new solutions,” said Habiyambere.

He went on to encourage the public to start up new initiatives for the preservation and promotion of forests, saying that CARPE is ready to give them grants after assessing the viability of the initiatives.

"As the minister emphasised, we call upon other people with viable forestry initiatives to come to us and we shall fund their projects,” added Habiyambere.   

CARPE was established in 1975 by USAID which provides economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide with an aim of helping nine central African countries to reduce the effect of destruction of forests which was rampant in this region.  

The body operates in countries that include Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and principle and Rwanda among others.

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