The National Tree Planting was yesterday officially launched in Kirehe District by the Prime Minister, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi.

Hundreds of residents of the district braved heavy morning rain to plant over 50,000 trees on 25 hectares in Kiyanzi village, Nyamugari sector.

Addressing hundreds of residents, the PM said that government was committed to planting trees and protecting forests in the country.

He thanked residents of the district for their cooperation and positive attitude towards implementation of government programs.

"Your good attitude towards work and government policies, explains why you are the best performer in agriculture,” he said.

"Forests are essential for the lives of people and vice versa. We must respect the interrelationship existing between us and the forests...you know this kind of mutual relationship cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

The Premier reminded the residents that the forests in the country do not match with the needs of the people.

"Our country’s surface area covered by forests is only 22%...this is not enough owing to the huge demand for trees. Our tourism industry also needs the forests in order to blossom”.

Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of the Eastern Province, said that the province was committed more than any ever to plant trees.

She noted that at least 16 million trees would be planted to cater for the vast bare hills in the Province.

"We only have 8% of the total trees in the country. Kayonza, Nyagatare and Kirehe districts are the worst affected. We thus have to double our efforts and plant more trees,” she said.

The Mayor of the district, Protais Murayire, said that the challenges that affected tree planting were overcome.

"Cattle, ant hills, etc used to destroy the trees we planted. But the people’s awareness coupled with availability of suitable tree species, have checked the issue,” Murayire said.

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