Kirehe - A delegation of 20 legislatures led by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, yesterday, descended in Kirehe district, where they engaged in planting of trees.

The activity that attracted hundreds of residents and local leaders left Rwanonde village, Gahara sector with over 30,000 planted trees.

Ntawukuriryayo said that the bare hills of most of Rwanda need tree planting to control soil erosion.

"We shall be sending 20 MPs in every district every month for community work. The trees planted must be safeguarded jealously; otherwise the exercise would be futile”.

Protais Murayire, the Mayor of the district, said that they are engaged in various activities that concern environmental protection.

He said that the district is busy with expansion of construction of classrooms for the 9-Year Basic Education.

"We are going to organize residents into cooperatives that will oversee the growth of the trees. Most of our hills and villages need tree planting and care because of anthills and rocks,” he said.

Francois Nabanganyimana, 62, a resident of Ibituzi Village in Gahara Sector, said that the biggest challenge lies in tree or forest management.

"We need a sustainable system of tree planting that would include alternative fuel other than firewood,” he said.

Over 500,000 trees have been planted in the district since the campaign began.

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