IN a bid to create wider awareness of environment concerns in the country, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has kicked off environment protection activities countrywide.The weeklong activities began on the weekend in Gatsata Sector, Gasabo District, and are expected to conclude on June 6, which is the World Environment Day (WED), the Minister of Natural Resources, said yesterday at a news briefing."The most important goal of WED is to raise awareness about serious impacts to the environment caused by carrying out business as usual in terms of economic growth and development without environmental considerations, a behaviour which compromises sustainable development,” Kamanzi, said.Residents of Gatsata planted trees and rehabilitated wetlands, especially in areas, where garages used to exist. "After that, we had a frank discussion about the challenges they face in regards to settlement and environmental protection,” the minister added.According to Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), various activities, including adoption of renewable energy, use of energy-saving cooking stoves, biogas and solar energy, will be introduced in some settlements that lag behind in adopting the techniques."We must continue sensitising the importance of greening in schools, office compounds and households; so that people better understand the reason why we desperately need to develop economically, while ensuring that our environment remains green and safe,” Mukankomeje said.World Environment Day is an annual event which is widely celebrated on June 5; since its introduction in 1972, WED has grown to become one of the main vehicles that stimulate awareness of the environment with calls for political attention.