GATSIBO - The International Voluntary for Development Association (AVSI), an Italian NGO operating in the country, in collaboration with the Rotary Club International, on Monday launched a tree planting campaign that will see 200, 000 trees worth Rwf30 million planted in Muhura Sector, Gatsibo District.

AVSI officials say the campaign is in response to the government’s call for environmental protection.

The trees, which included Markhamia, Eucalyptus Camaldulensis and Calliandra
Colollysus, will be planted on road sides covering 38 kilometres while others will cover 12 hectares of land.

Speaking at the launch, Calvi Guido, who represented AVSI at the function, urged residents to take good care of the tress, saying it’s to their advantage.

"These trees are yours and they will serve your benefits…you need to take good care of them because they will contribute a lot to your lives,” he said.

Guido blamed some residents who uprooted some of the trees that had been planted by the NGO in several parts of the country, urging Muhura residents to desist from such destructive acts.

"There are some people out there who uprooted some of the trees planted in other areas, but we hope you will not be involved in such bad acts,” he said.
In an interview, Ildephonse Rwayitare, president of the action commission in Rotary Club Kigali, emphasized the need to protect the environment, noting that it’s part of the club’s projects across the country.

"We have variety of projects that we support in various fields, including environmental protection. We have put more emphasis in tree plantation which is part of our projects,” he said.

Regine Kayitesi, Muhura sector agriculture official, said that on top of the 200,000 trees donated to the sector, they had 80,000 more trees awaiting planting.

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