Rwamagana–Increasing levels of land degradation, especially through deforestation in the Eastern Province, poses a danger to the country’s economy if the practice goes unchecked, Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza, the Director General of Rwanda Natural Resources Authority, has named. Addressing local leaders and forest managers last week, Dr. Nkurunziza warned that poor land maintenance in most districts sets a bad precedent."There is vivid poor maintenance of forests and land in the country, particularly in the Eastern Province. Look at Rwimiyaga...the so called Kirebe farms in Nyagatare is a disaster. We need quick intervention from all stakeholders,” he said, citing a number of instances where land degradation had led to severe agricultural failures."Bugesera District is another case in point where rivers like Nyacyonga were drying up. We planted many trees in the area but people are already cutting them down. In Gatsibo District, grassroots leaders were involved in destroying Murambi forest. This is not acceptable,” Dr Nkurunziza warned.The meeting was attended by the Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, the Governor of Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya, among other senior government officials.Kamanzi echoed the warning, saying there was need to ensure proper land utilisation practices that do not affect the environment.The minister recalled that Bugesera was once threatened by desertification. "Several hectares of trees planted by the Police in Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts were destroyed by cattle...this must stop forthwith. This is a matter of great concern. How do you lose eight hectares of trees, just because careless people used the trees as pasture?” Kamanzi said government had implemented an afforestation programme to ensure that the forest cover takes up at least 30 percent of the country’s total surface area."Land degradation has no place in Rwanda...we want to try the use of biomass. Planting trees is thus a priority. This must be clear and a not a haphazard plan,” the minister insisted.