Category: Environment

A critically endangered species of bats not sighted in 40 years has been found in Rwanda, with the “incredible” discovery delighting conservationists who had feared it was already extinct.

But the Hill’s horseshoe bat was in fact still clinging to life in Rwanda’s Nyungwe forest – a dense rainforest – the consortium behind the discovery said.

There had been no information on the population of the mammals and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2021 listed them as critically endangered.

Rediscovering the lost species “was incredible”, Jon Flanders, director for Bat Conservation International (BCI), said in a statement late on Tuesday.

“It’s astonishing to think that we’re the first people to see this bat in so long.”

The Texas-based non-profit had partnered with the Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association to conduct surveys in the jungle starting in 2013.

In 2019, after a 10-day expedition scouring the caves in the forest, the scientists found the bat.

“We knew immediately that the bat we had captured was unusual and remarkable,” BCI’s chief scientist, Winifred Frick, said.

“The facial features were exaggerated to the point of comical.”

But it took them another three years to verify its species.

The creatures of the night have long been infamous as fanged monsters or vectors of disease, with the coronavirus pandemic doing little to improve that image after scientists said Covid-19 probably originated in the animals.

From the tiny two-gram “bumblebee bat” to the giant Philippine flying fox with its 1.5m (5ft) wingspan, bats make up a fifth of all terrestrial mammals.

Some 40% of the 1,321 species assessed on the IUCN’s red list are now classified as endangered.

Human actions – including deforestation and habitat loss – are to blame.

For the researchers in Rwanda, the elusive discovery marks the beginning of a new race to save the once lost species from disappearing again.

“Now our real work begins to figure out how to protect this species long into the future,” said Flanders.

The call was made on Thursday 21st October following the presentation of research findings on the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOS) in the implementation of National Determined Contributions (NDCS) during an event that took place at the headquarters of Tubibe Amahoro (TA) translated as ‘Sow Peace’ in Karongi district, Western Province.

TA is Rwandan non-governmental organizations striving for a more equitable society through ensuring that fundamental rights and laws are protected and enhancing environment preservation efforts in four districts of intervention including Karongi, Burera, Ngororero and Rutsiro districts.

The research which was also carried out by TA, was conducted in the four aforementioned districts in partnership with the University of Rwanda College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR-CAVM).

The research aimed at assessing the effects of climate change, factors contributing to climate change and come up with recommendations on needed actions to develop climate change resilience in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The Government of Rwanda has devised a number of policies and institutional responses to support citizens adapt to climate change and climate variability. Some of the key policies and programmes include the ; the National Adaptation and Programmes of Action (NAPA), the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the National Fund for Environment in Rwanda (FONERWA), Green Growth Strategy, the National Strategy for Transformation NSTI Seven Years Government Program (2017-2024) as well as the National environment and Climate Change Policy.

Despite the above policies and good practices implemented by the Rwandan Government, issues such as deforestation, landslide, soil degradation, soil erosion and air pollution persist in different parts of the country. This prompted the research into cooking technologies, energy supply and demand, and current environmental and climate change issues in the districts of Burera, Karongi, Ngororero and Rutsiro.

The research also sought to investigate biomass energy supply and demand as well as ascertaining citizens’ attitudes and perceptions towards building resilience to climate change.

As per findings of the study, 53 percent out of 400 respondents confirmed that they had heard of climate change while 47 percent stated that they were unfamiliar with the subject. To this end, TA via existing networks including the Rwanda Climate Change Development Network (RCCDN) and UR-CVM called for improvement of community awareness about climate change, its impact, mitigation, and adaptation approaches.

Among others, deforestation and landslides were pointed out as the most serious climatic concerns in the study area with 87.25% and 89% respectively.

The research also established that there is limited awareness around NDCs among rural communities, limitations in Citizens’ Consultation on Climate Change Policy Planning and Implementation as reported by 91% of respondents.

Other areas of concern include the widespread use of open firewood stoves or three stone stoves for cooking or boiling drinking water, limitations towards enhancing wetland preservation, forest management, water management, limitations in the promotion of waste management system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limited public awareness on biosafety through initiatives involving the community, policy makers and the private sector.

Need for friendly cooking technologies

The research established that firewood is usually accessible as evidenced by 69.7% of respondents, and to some extent available in the community through gathering in bushes, and woods (62%).

It was established that households that utilize inefficient cooking technologies and do not own a woodlot spend an average of Rwf600 (12kgs or 4 pieces of wood times Rwf150) per day on wood purchases, thus making Rwf18,000 per month and rough estimation of annual cost is Rwf216,000.

However, it was observed that a household that uses Improved Cooking Stove (ICS) utilizes a third of fuel consumption, thus spending Rwf6,000 per month with a saving of Rwf12,000 and Rwf144,000 per annum.

The money saved is allocated to other household needs and including Community Based Health Insurance known as Mutuelle de Santé, scholastic materials, contributions to saving and lending groups and purchase of other household items.

The majority of surveyed households (92.6%) use traditional cooking stoves, 4.7 percent use various models of improved cooking stoves including clay charcoal stove, metal charcoal stove, pipe stove, Tekavuba, Canamake, Canarumwe stoves among others while 1.5 percent use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Considering the fact that CSOs work closely with communities in different areas, the research recommended them to maintain collaboration with different stakeholders to mitigate climate change effects and become proactive in educating citizens on biodiversity protection.

CSOs were also urged to engage in research for evidence-based advocacy if they are to significantly inform or influence the policy.

Among others, CSOs were reminded of their critical role is supporting vulnerable groups especially women to challenge customs and beliefs which perpetuate unequal gender relations, conduct climate change advocacy and comprehensive research on appropriate improved cooking stoves taking into account the amount of saved wood, cooking habits, raw materials for improved stove manufacturing accessible in each location and household income among others.

Local leaders are also recommended to play role by extending awareness of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard environment and work towards sustainable community livelihoods.

The research recommended members of the community to plant more trees, adopt the use of energy-saving cooking stoves as well as other improved cooking technologies in order to relieve the problem of deforestation, indoor air pollution, eye diseases, soil erosion and landslides.

Community members are also urged to improve their usual practices around waste management.

Commenting on research findings, Pierre Celestin Kabano, the Executive Secretary of Tubibe Amahoro said that the research aimed at establishing sources of cooking fuel and challenges hindering adoption of environment friendly cooking technologies.

“The use of improved cooking technology is still low as most of areas of study are located in rural areas. The majority of residents use traditional cooking stoves but they need to stick to energy-saving stoves which help users to spend little money and save time for other income generating activities, “he said.

“Civil Society Organizations need to draw attention to this alarming situation to extend awareness to ensure climate change resilient communities through collaboration with the Government and the private sector,” he added.

Faustin Mvuniyingoma, the coordinator of RCCDN commended findings of the research and stressed the need for concerted efforts between all stakeholders to mitigate climate change.

“Nonno Toby” (Grandpa Toby) passed away on October 6, Elisa Livia Pennacchioni of the Parco Natura Viva, a zoo near the northern city of Verona, told AFP.

“He collapsed on the floor on the way back to his nighttime shelter, and after about half an hour, his heart stopped,” she said.

Toby will be embalmed and put on display at the MuSe science museum in Trento, where he will join Blanco, a white lion from the zoo who died five years ago, Pennacchioni said.

White rhinos normally live up to 40 years when held in captivity, and up to 30 years in the wild, she said.

Toby’s death, which follows the passing of his female partner Sugar in 2012, leaves the Parco Natura Viva with one remaining white rhino: Benno, aged 39.

However, there are only two examples left of the northern white rhino subspecies who live in Kenya, which are watched round-the-clock by armed guards, the environmental group says.

Heavy artificial rains were caused in several regions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the middle of a heat wave that almost reached 50 degrees of temperature, last Wednesday and Thursday.

The National Center of Meteorology to emiratí operations carried out cloud seeding to increase rainfall, explained the middle Gulf News . First, they issued weather alerts for the east of the country for the possibility of convective cloud formations .

This type of convective cloud is characterized by causing precipitation and winds with speeds of 40 km / h that cause displacement of dust and sand . They are formed due to high temperatures that cause the warm and humid air to rise from the colder surrounding air in the atmosphere.

Rain-inducing technology in the United Arab Emirates has proven drones that can cause rain by applying electric shocks to clouds without the need for chemicals.

According to the statement signed by the Director General of Rwanda Meteorological Agency, Aimable Gahigi, the strong winds are predicted to blow mostly in the Eastern Province, Western Province, Northern Province and a large part of the Southern Province.

Strong winds are expected to gust on a speed between 8m/s and 12m/s equal to 29Km/h and 43Km/h as per the statement.

“The predicted wind could cause disasters to people and properties and infrastructure. Hence, we call on the population to take measures in a bid to avoid and stop disasters,” the statement reads.

Recently, the Ministry of Emergency Management has cautioned the public of potential disasters that could come with the rainy season.

“About schools, church houses and other places that attract gatherings of people, we ask the public to check if roofs are well tightened and install lightning rods in public buildings,” the Minister in Charge of Emergency, Germaine Kamayirese said.

Statistics by the Ministry of Emergency Management indicate that between January and June last year, disasters killed a total of 234 people and injured 268 others, destroying 15,264 houses and 9412 hectares leaving 797 livestock dead.

An assessment conducted in 15 districts most affected by disasters showed that disasters caused more than Rwf204 billion in economic losses between January and October last year.

The authorities of the City of Kigali then said 968 residential houses, according to the City’s master plan, served as business houses and other services other than residence with Gasabo District having 517 houses, Nyarugenge with 356 while Kicukiro District counted 95 services operating in residential houses.

One month to two years today, the directive has been implemented by 95 per cent according to the City of Kigali Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Parfait Busabizwa.

“The deadline we had set was not met by all the concerned but about 95% have relocated despite some who vacate residential houses in one area and relocate to another residential house to another area. It is an ongoing task,” Busabizwa said in an exclusive interview with IGIHE.

Busabizwa also spoke on establishments in wetlands including business houses, residential houses revealing that their relocation stands at 93%.

“Houses found in wetlands are 178 with 138 having relocated, a 93% relocation rate. All garages operating in wetlands will have relocated by the end of December 2018,” Busabizwa added.

The event was organized by AfroGroov, a local Artistes and Events management organization and saw some 100 guests at the Kigali Cultural Village, which gave the session an intimacy that was enhanced by Berita’s soulful performance.

Berita Khumalo’s performance was preceded by a talk show led by Afrogroov’s Eric Soul where Berita gave her insights on being an African artiste in the world of Music, and Gender equality in music, and her career journey, among other subjects.

According to the songstress, artistes should not be evaluated on their genders but on their talents.

“I am getting to a point where I no longer see myself as a female artiste, but an artiste who’s able to compete with my peers, either male or Female.”

On late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Berita recalled her as “a friend, a mother figure and a great counsellor.” To her, having Mama Winnie helped her a lot in shaping who she wanted to become in the world.

With her blissful toned voice, Berita conquered her audience with “Sophinda Sidibane”, an inspirational song that means ‘Till we meet again’. The tune lyrically uplifted spirits with each intoned harmony, as the Afro-soul singer dedicated the song to all Rwandans who lost friends and families in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

Among others she performed ‘Phakama Afrika’, a song that speaks on the rise of Africa and ‘Sophinda Sidibane,’ ‘Thandolwethu,’ ‘Menziwa,’ and ‘Sukundixhesha’.
Also present was Inanga musician Deo Gratias Munyakazi who shared his artistic experience with the ‘Live and Unplugged’ show attendees as he performed his local popular songs including “Isoko Dusangiye” meaning ‘the flow we share’ and “Urakwiriye Mwami” meaning ‘You are worthy O’ Lord’.

Both vocally gifted and intelligent, Berita Khumalo grew up in a family of seven, including five younger siblings, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Photos: The Newtimes

The issue was raised by Members of Parliaments this Thursday, as it appeared in the 2016/2017 Ombudsman’s report.

The Standing Committee on Political and Gender Affairs invited the Minister of Local Governance, Francis Kaboneka to explain more about measures in place to end the problem.

MPs said that some people in the report spent four years waiting for compensation after being relocated from their properties by the government.

MP Evariste Kaliza said that the problem is a concern everywhere across the country. He said that laws should be revised if they are hampering compensation and that the government should raise resources to compensate population before they start relocation exercise to avoid interrupting their welfare.

“There is a big problem of local debts that the government owes the population; we always come across this problem in all reports. We always request the Minister of Finance to solve it, but it is still there. You should think of how to solve it,” he said.
By responding to MPs, Kabonekasaid there are more than 1000 people claiming over Rwf200 million.

“I cannot mention the deadline to solve this problem as it touches on different ministries. Also it requires using resources from national budget where sometimes we encounter other priority activities to invest in, but we wish to have this problem solved by 2018-2019 financial year,” he said.

Kaboneka went on to explain that the government has changed ways to compensate people on their properties saying that those relocated from their homes will have new houses constructed for them other than giving them cash.