Western province

NYABIHU — The minister of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water, and Mines Christopher Bazivamo has asked residents not to regard environmental protection as a government responsibility but a fundamental duty to all citizens.

Bazivamo made the appeal recently during activities to mark the end of the tree planting week at Bigogwe.

 During the exercise, government officials together with residents and RDF soldiers of the third and forty first battalions operating from Mukamira and Bigogwe planted 48,000 trees on Musonga hill which was recently affected by torrential rains that left 17 people dead and hundreds displaced due to floods. 

"Environmental protection should be every one’s responsibility because the outcomes of its degradation affect every one.

The government is currently doing every thing possible to conserve the environment especially through planting and caring for trees which brings hope for the better future.

This however can not be achieved without people’s involvement and support” Bazivamo said.

He noted that environmental protection was among the national development policies as an avenue of poverty eradication by targeting the sale of mature trees for timber.

Bazivamo further advised residents to plant agro forestry trees such as mangos, avocados, Jackfruits and others for their fruit products other than environmental conservation.

After the tree planting, Dr.Agnes Binagwaho the coordinator of the National Aids commission warned residents on the dangers of HIV/Aids and urged them on preventive measures.

"HIV/Aids is still a challenge not only to town dwellers as many people believe but also to village folks that is why I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about its dangers and ways of preventing it,” she said

"We need strong and health citizens capable of working hard towards the development of our country, this is why, you need to avoid indulging in activities that can lead you into contracting the virus”  

She appealed to expectant mothers to deliver from recognized health centres in order to produce health babies.

Binangwaho advised residents to go for voluntary HIV counseling and testing to understand their Aids status saying it would help those found positive to seek timely  medication to prolong their lives.

Ends