Investigations are underway to establish the origins of a wildfire that swept through Rugezi Marsh, destroying some 50 hectares of the wetland, which straddles two districts in northern Rwanda.

The fire started on Monday afternoon before it was finally put out in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and one person had been arrested in connection with the incident, with Rwanda Investigation Bureau still looking into the matter, at least by yesterday.

The Rugezi Marsh, a popular destination with bird watchers, is a sanctuary for a diverse array of species, some of them endangered. The wetland, which covers 6,736 hectares, is known for species such as the Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Grey Crowned Crane, Lesser Jacana and the Long-toed Lapwings.

Besides the 40 or so bird species, the mash is also a refuge for amphibians, reptiles and numerous plant species.

Now, while the role of the wetland in environmental and ecosystem sustainability as well as ecological balance cannot be overemphasised, it is also important for Rwanda’s economy. Not only does it supply and filter water that ends up in lakes Ruhondo and Burera, which is subsequently used to generate power from two hydropower stations, the wetland is also a vital tool in efforts to mitigate climate change.

Indeed, Rugezi is part of a network of 860 marshlands and 101 lakes with a surface area totalling 278,536 hectares and 149,487 hectares, respectively, across Rwanda, which are protected by law.

Unfortunately, these ecosystems are continuously threatened by humans, with their integrity having been violated over the years by at least 40 per cent.

Continued encroachment constitutes a major concern for the sustainability of wetlands – comprising 10.6 per cent of the country’s surface area – and if nothing is done to reverse the trend it could mean that the gains made in recent years in biodiversity conservation risk going down the drain. 

That would be a terrifying prospect and we must all push back against this risk. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect and preserve the sanctity of these ecosystems and to desist from any practices that undermine their biodiversity role.