REMA to highlight environmental protection efforts in documentary

KIGALI - RWANDA Environment Management Authority (REMA) is shooting a documentary that will portray to the world Rwanda’s status in environmental protection showcasing Gishwati forest’s rehabilitation, The Sunday Times has learnt. The documentary will be screened on World Environment Day to be celebrated in Rwanda for the first time on June 5. “Rwanda is at the forefront in protecting the environment than many other countries in the world. There is political will which is the best point to begin with. So this documentary will show the world our status in environment conservation,” Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, REMA Director General said yesterday. She added that the documentary will also highlight terraces Gicumbi which helped in fighting land degradation in the Northern Province. “Because of political will, the country has managed to achieve a lot as far as conservation of the environment is concerned despite having limited means. You can fight poverty and conserve your environment simultaneously,” Dr. Mukankomeje said. She added that restoration of the ecosystem needs every person and institutions if the multiplication of indigenous species of Gishwati forest can be attained. Early this year, it emerged that Gishwati Area Conservation Program funded by various institutions, among them, the Great Ape Trust and Earth Park, will join efforts to rehabilitate nearly 650 acres of the forest. Rwanda’s commitment to a green economy and the environment, including support for the Gishwati Area Conservation Program, led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to select the country as the global host of World Environment Day 2010. This year’s theme is ‘Many Species. One Planet. One Future’. Ends