The Albertine Rift Conservation Society (Arcos) has called on regional countries to ensure effective implementation of environmental conservation policies.

Speaking at an environment conservation meeting in Kigali, on Tuesday, Dr Sam Kanyamibwa, the Arcos executive director, said there is need to ensure environmental sustainability while planning specific projects.

He decried deforestation, mining, poor sewage disposal and pollution by industries which he said are a big threat to the environment.

"As a result of these activities animals and plants have been destroyed,” Dr Kanyamibwa said, citing the disappearance of hyenas in many countries.

The meeting drew conservation specialists from across the region.

Naomi Obbo, the environment  impact assessment officer, Uganda’s National  Environment Management Authority, said there is need  to work with community based organisations  in capacity building since the communities  become more affected in case of adverse effects of a hazardous project.

Jean Baptiste Niyongabo, programme manager of Organisation for Defence of Environment in Burundi, called for more advocacy to protect the environment.

Article 111 of the EAC Treaty calls for concerted measures to foster co-operation in the joint and efficient management and sustainable utilisation of natural resources within the Community, and for partner states to undertake to cooperate and co-ordinate their policies and actions for the protection and conservation of the natural resources and environment.