Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has earmarked over Rwf 150 million for the protection and conservation of Rubavu Hill for a period of six months.

The hill was left bare last year after over 1,200 families were expropriated from the area because of the dangers of mudslides from heavy rains.

"Now that we have successfully relocated the families that lived here to safer places, we are going to make a recreation park for the people of Rubavu and outsiders to enjoy nature,” Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of REMA said.

Mukankomeje said this yesterday while officially launching the campaign to protect and conserve the hill in a joint effort between Rubavu district, REMA and reserve forces.

Trees of various species such as bamboo and filao, among others, will be planted on a surface area of 62 hectares.

The project will see a 10 kilometre road constructed within the park, 5 hactares of pasperam and 10 of kikuyu grass planted.

The early stage of the expropriation exercise was affected by local leaders who allocated plots of land to themselves other than to residents who were supposed to be the main beneficiaries.

"Environmental protection is not an easy task because it involves conflicts of interest by various individuals and organizations, but we should be patriotic enough to understand the general interest of the country,” added Mukankomeje.

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