RWAMAGANA-The Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Forests and Natural Resources (MINIRENA), is to plant at least 67 million trees in the country.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Caroline Kayonga, while addressing Eastern Province local leaders, yesterday.

According to Kayonga, the systematic process of tree planting will target the most deforested areas like Eastern Province districts.

The Permanent Secretary said that Eastern Province was the most vulnerable region in the country, adding that it was allocated 20% of the total number of trees to be planted in the country.

"Our concern for the natural ecosystem cannot be overemphasized...this year our commitment to tree planting is unique. Stakeholders should finish mapping areas to plant trees so that work starts forthwith,’ she said.

Kayonga, however, lamented that the budget for tree planting doesn’t match with the annual budget of the country, hence affecting planting programs.

"Forestry planning starts in February and is very critical, it unfortunately doesn’t match with the budget calendar, so we need to plan before as the fiscal year and forest planning year cycles are not congruent”.

The Mayor of Kirehe District, Protais Murayire, whose district will receive the biggest share of trees, said that the mapping process was complete.

He noted that several hilly areas of the district were in urgent need of tree planting to control erosion.

"The bare hills are expected to be used for coffee growing...it is thus imperative that the hill soils are protected. We can’t wait to start planting the trees,” he said.

Claver Ntawukuriryayo, a resident of Mushikiri sector in Kirehe District, said that tree planting should be consistent.
"We need inter-sector commitment in planting trees...Poor post planting management of trees has been the undoing of such programs. So, any other forest growing should take the concern seriously,” he said.

MINIRENA will work with the Reserve Force in the implementation of the forest growing.

Ends