Environment Protection Week kicks off

A week-long public campaign for a ‘Clean and Green Environment” was launched yesterday by the Ministry for Lands and Environment in Kicukiro District. Members from public institutions, ministries and the private sector participated by clearing 26 hectares in Nyarugunga sector where the district planted about 45,000 trees last year. The launch of the Environment Protection Week coincided with the monthly communal activities, Umuganda. Stanislas Kamanzi, the Minister of Lands and Environment, pointed out that it is every one’s responsibility to protect the environment. “We will plant trees and protect forests given their importance in protecting our environment,” Kamanzi said. “We should also adopt the system of planting some specific and crop friendly trees not only for environment purposes, but also to contribute to soil fertility.” The exercise that will go up to June 25 is held under the theme ‘Forestry: nature at your service’ and it’s in preparation for recognition of the World Environmental Day slated for June 5. The Vice Mayor in charge of economic development, Angelique Mukunde, said more trees will be planted on the remaining 250 hectares. The Senate President who was also Guest of Honour, Dr Vincent Biruta, called upon the public to take action on preventing mother-to-child HIV infection. “It is advisable to go for HIV tests before three months of pregnancy to determine the HIV status so as to take relevant actions,” Biruta said. Among other dignitaries who attended the event were the Minister of Defence Gen. James Kabarebe, Local Government Minister, James Musoni, Trade and Industry Minister, Francois Kanimba and the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana. Others were the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Denis Polisi, and the Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Dr Rose Mukankomeje, BNR Governor Claver Gatete and his Deputy, Monique Nsanzabaganwa. Ends