Illegal mining in Mukura forest has intensified and local leaders say that a financial plan should be developed to cater for the protection of the forest.

The 160 hector forest covering parts of Rutsiro and Ngororero District is rich in coltan (columbite-tantalite).

Local authorities say the illegal miners are mainly residents of the districts

"We have so far arrested over 50 illegal miners, but more still continue with the acts irrespective of our efforts. But if a protection unit is set up, it will serve better because these people seem to have a spy network that monitors and alerts them when we are going for patrol,” said Jean Baptist Uwihangnye, the Executive Secretary of Mukura Sector.

He explained that both the landscape and communication system has played a role in enabling the gang to evade arrest.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Christophe Mudahemuka, the Executive Secretary of Ruseheya Sector in Rutsiro District, said that the illegal activities have intensified in the last four months.

"One person was found dead as a result of a landslide which are some of the risks they expose themselves to in these activities,” Mudahemuka said.

The National Coordinator of ARECO-Rwanda Nziza, a civil society organization working to preserve the forest, Dancilla Mukakamari, said that mining has heavily affected the forest.

"The three forests including Gishwati, Mukura and Nyungwe used to converge, but this is no more,” Mukakamari said.

She said that urgent measures should collectively be taken amongst stakeholders not only to protect Mukura forest but to achieve the national target on forestry.

"We should not only plant trees, but take good care of them if we want to make forestry one of the national pillars for sustainable development,” he said.

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