EASTERN PROVINCE

KAYONZA — Game rangers of Rwanda’s National parks who completed training in fire fighting on Saturday vowed to handle fire outbreaks in parks.

At a pass out ceremony of 41 rangers at Ihema beach in Akagera National Park, Evariste Muhutu, one of the trainees said the skills obtained from the training would enable them contain fire outbreaks.

"This training was so special. We have learnt several techniques of putting out fire without causing harm to us. We shall make use of the techniques to protect our natural habitats," Muhutu said.

He however, appealed to responsible authorities to urgently provide the required tools. He noted that frequent workshops on similar training would be important for rangers. The Rwanda National Police conducted the training.

Theophile Bizimana, ORTPN Director of Human Resource, who represented the Director General Chantal Rugamba, regretted the recent incident in which four of their staff died while trying to contain fire in Akagera National Park last year.

He noted that last year alone, one third of the Akagera National Park was burnt; the reason such training was organised for park rangers.

Bizimana said ORTPN would train all game rangers in fire fighting and equip them with all the necessary tools to be used. He called on park communities to be cooperative, saying they are the primary beneficiaries of the park.

He said an environmental and wildlife management course would also be offered to park staff and park communities also geared towards conservation.

He commended the National Police for implementing the course, describing it as a great role towards conservation.

Appealing to trainees to ‘put to good use’ the skills obtained, Chief Inspector of Police Bernard Nsengiyumva, who supervised the training, said participants acquired both theoretical and practical skills relevant to detecting fire outbreaks and putting it out.

Manasseh Gihana Wandera, of Kitabi Conservation Training Center, said the center is now operational and ready to equip Rwandans with relevant knowledge of conserving nature.

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