Ten districts are set to receive a substantial share of the 65 million trees to be planted across Rwanda this October, according to Phocas Mureramanzi, the Acting Director of the Tree Seed Unit at the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA). The 10 districts are; Kayonza, Gatsibo, Bugesera, Nyagatare, Kirehe, Gicumbi, Rutsiro, Ruhango, Nyaruguru, and Gisagara As part of the 2024-2025 National Tree Planting Season, the government aims to plant a total of 65.2 million trees. The official launch of the tree planting season will take place on October 26 in Rwamagana District during the monthly community work initiative, Umuganda. ALSO READ: What are Rwanda’s top 10 forestry conservation-related projects? This annual initiative is designed to combat climate change and restore degraded land, featuring a mix of both native and exotic tree species. The RFA noted that this effort will not only restore damaged forests but also enhance agricultural practices, protect vital river ecosystems, and provide crucial habitats for wildlife. Mureramanzi detailed the distribution of seedlings, saying that 2,994,404 will be planted in Kayonza, 2,323,000 in Gatsibo, 2,132,000 in Bugesera, approximately 1,776,679 in Nyagatare, 1,618,957 in Kirehe, 1,557,500 in Gicumbi, 1,480,773 in Rutsiro, 1,358,950 in Ruhango, 1,341,610 in Nyaruguru, and 1,330,680 seedlings in Gisagara. He emphasised that out of the 65 million seedlings, 43,594,646 are ready for planting this month. The remaining seedlings will be planted by April, depending on rainfall. These districts have been significantly impacted by soil erosion and land degradation, hence their larger share of the trees to be planted, he explained. ALSO READ: Rwanda allocates over 7,000 hectares of state forests to investors Notably, five of the ten districts are located in the Eastern Province. Historically, 40 to 50 years ago, this region boasted substantial forest cover. However, it has since experienced significant deforestation as communities cleared land for agriculture, charcoal production, firewood, and construction materials, according to the Rwanda Forestry Authority. The Rwanda Water Resources Board estimates that severe erosion results in an economic loss of approximately Rwf 37.9 billion in agricultural productivity each season, stressing the urgent need for land restoration through tree planting. The country is losing an alarming 25 tonnes of topsoil per hectare annually, with over one million hectares at risk—equivalent to 45% of Rwanda's total land area. Out of this vulnerable land, only 282,352 hectares are adequately protected against erosion. The estimated annual loss due to soil erosion stands at around Rwf810 billion on average. The Tree Planting Day serves as a crucial reminder of the essential role trees play in supporting biodiversity, purifying the air, and enhancing the livelihoods of various communities. This year’s tree planting season theme, “Plant a Tree, Nurture It, Save the Planet,” emphasises the shared responsibility to care for the Earth. To kick off the season, a series of engaging activities will be organised to raise awareness about the importance of tree planting. The country also aims to highlight the positive impacts of tree planting over the past seven years, featuring stories from farmers and talks from influential figures in the environmental sector. ALSO READ: One Acre Fund to help farmers plant native trees Currently, Rwanda's forest cover stands at 724,695 hectares, accounting for 30.4% of the country's land area. The government has set a target to restore two million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and has become one of the early adopters of the Bonn Challenge—a global initiative aimed at restoring 350 million hectares of deforested and degraded land worldwide by 2030. To support these efforts, the government has established Tree Seed Centres in Gatsibo and Huye districts to enhance the availability of high-quality seeds. These centres promote improved woodlot management, efficient charcoal production, alternative energy sources, and, importantly, better seed quality. ALSO READ: Over 850 hectares of old forests restored The centres serve as one-stop shops for tree seed supply activities, including establishing new seed sources, tree improvement, genetic conservation, as well as seed collection, processing, and distribution.
