FOCUS:Nyabarongo clean-up a worthy cause for today and tomorrow

Rwanda is endowed with a rich environment, and the components of its environment are marked as its natural resources. For long, many of these components have been destroyed or handled haphazardly due to the increasing human activity over the years. Land, water bodies and swamps have not had a pleasant time in many aspects. The elders tell us that River Nyabarongo in ancient times had very clean water which was used for domestic purposes without a hitch and no nausea. However, as we speak, it is one of the dirtiest and most unsafe water bodies in the region. Environmental specialists have blamed this trend on the poor farming methods practiced by people around it. Accordingly, when it rains, the runoff from the hilly Rwandan terrain sweeps away the top soil which has been exposed by the poor farming practices. This soil and the fertilizers used in it all runs into the Nyabarongo River. It is therefore said that Nyabarongo has taken thousands of tones of manure to other lands like Egypt where it pours its water. The good story is that a lot is being done to rejuvenate the natural beauty and safety of the river. Recently REMA launched a project called National Environment Youth Project (NEYP) in Kabagari sector in Ruhango district. Over 500 youths are projected to be employed by the scheme to work as conservationists of the endangered lake. The task ahead of these youths is to plant bamboo trees and reeds around the shores of the river, covering a width of 10 meters so as to safeguard the water body from human activity and other intoxicants which have for long plagued it. The Executive Director of REMA, Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, appealed to the youth who are at the mantle of this project to do the work with commitment and responsibility because on top of the fact that they are going to be earning money from it, the betterment of the river will benefit them the more. “Conservation of River Nyabarongo is a direct responsibility of everyone especially those who stay near it. It is therefore a challenge to you to revive its natural beauty and shape,” Dr. Mukankomeje said. “I can’t wait to see us reach a point where our children can freely swim in the Nyabarongo.” The governor of the Southern Province Fidel Ndayisaba pledged unlimited support to the success of the project whose fruits he said will benefit even future generations. Ariel Nsabimana, one of the youth enrolled to work for this initiative, expressed enthusiasm about the project because of its expected outcomes and the job factor. “It is going to improve my livelihood through the pay and also give me an opportunity to safeguard our river,” he said. It is projected that in between the reeds and bamboo the locals will plant fruits for home consumption and commercial purposes, which will also contribute to their domestic incomes. The Project was funded by UNDP. The first phase, which will run for three years, was allocated USD 6million. The river flows through 17 districts of Rwanda. They are all involved in the initiative. Email: galimore@yahoo.com