The Ministry of Natural Resources has taken part in planting of over 40,000 trees in Nyabirasi Sector, Rutsiro District in its commitment to protect environment.

Led by Stanislas Kamanzi, the Minister of Natural Resources, civil servants in the ministry joined the area residents in planting trees on a 25 hectare area of Masengati Hill.

The government is engaged in a campaign to restore 280 hectares of Gishwati Forest.

"The tree planting exercise is important for the country’s environmental protection; that is why everyone should embrace it,” Kamanzi advised.

The Minister further urged area residents to focus their efforts in other designated areas besides the Gishwati Forest.

The ministry projects to plant over 67 million trees in a period of five months.

"Environmental protection is paramount to our lives and we not only look at planting trees but also other means of protecting the environment such as terracing to prevent soil erosion,” the minister emphasised.

Jean Marie Bagabo, an area resident, called upon his colleagues to support government’s efforts in the maintenance of forests.

"We have to understand the importance of the forests and help in maintaining them,” he underscored.

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