Residents urged to protect Nyungwe Park

WESTERN PROVINCE NYAMASHEKE- Residents from all sectors surrounding Nyungwe National Park in both Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts have been urged to always work with the concerned authorities in protecting and promoting various activities in the park. The call was made over the weekend by Francis Bizimungu, an official of the Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation office while addressing residents and various districts officials in Bushekeri sector in Nyamasheke district. He also asked residents and security organs to fight against fire outbreaks in Nyumgwe Park especially during this dry season. “I encourage you as my fellow concerned residents and leaders in these sectors around Nyungwe national park to further tighten your vigil against any fire outbreak in the park because the dry season is here with us. During this time we expect to have poachers and other people setting fire on our parks,” urged Bizimungu. He further encouraged residents to report illegal cultivators in the park such as those who cultivate marijuana and even other conventional crops. One of the attendees, Gilbert Rukazambuga, the executive secretary of Bweyeye sector said that they have sensitized and mobilized other residents who did not attend the meeting to cooperate with the government in protecting the park. He however noted that some fire out breaks in Nyungwe sometimes are caused by fire outbreaks from the nearby Kibira forest in Burundi but added that they would discuss the matter with their Burundian counterparts. He also pointed out that illegal activities within mining, farmers and bee keepers are among those that hinder further development in Nyungwe Park. Ends