An agronomist in Nkungu Sector, Rusizi district, Clement Ndorimana, has directed carpenters in the sector to stop illegal felling of trees to conserve the environment.

Her remarks follow numerous reports that the carpenters from Nkungu sector were illegally cutting immature trees for furniture making, especially during the rainy season.

"We aim at working at least three days at the field. This will help us curb the problem of illegal intruders in the forests,” said Ndorimana.

However, carpenters requested the authorities to grant them forests with mature trees which they say would not only work in respect of government policies but help them prosper in their business.

"We don’t have any other job; the land here is not fertile for farming. Carpentry ends up being our only income and if we are to wait for trees to mature we can’t maintain our work,” said Javier Sibomana, one of the carpenters.

Nkungu sector is filled with forests and carpentry is the major activity.

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