Category: Environment

  • Lions on Rampage in Zimbabwe Town

    {{Wildlife rangers in Zimbabwe put the northern resort town of Kariba on full alert Wednesday after rogue lions mauled to death two people near a suburb there.}}

    The National Parks and Wildlife Authority said fliers were being handed out in the town and volunteers were using a loudspeaker to caution townspeople on the dangers of lion attacks on the shores of Lake Kariba, a man-made hydroelectric dam popular for fishing and tourism.

    It said one man escaped from a lion attack on Tuesday, but the woman with him was savaged to death. An arm and a few remnants of a second corpse were found by rangers hunting for the lions.

    The predatory animals had eaten most of one corpse but did not devour the body of the dead woman, rangers said.

    The wildlife authority warned people against walking at night and crossing through thickets of bush where lions conceal themselves.

    It urged people in the area only to use wide and established roads.

    Lion attacks are not common close to urban settlements. In the past, elephants have roamed into Kariba’s suburbs, causing several deaths in recent years.

    Victims were often heading home from late night taverns and bars.

    Wednesday’s lion alert fliers also warned “beer drinkers to avoid moving at night on foot.” With the recent growth of outdoor Christian groups and religious and other tribal sects, the authority advised their followers to “stop going for secretive prayers in thick vegetation” in and around Kariba.

    Rangers said the hunt for the rogue lions was continuing late Wednesday.

    It is known in common conservation practice that lions that have eaten human prey will continue preying on people until they are hunted down and killed.

  • M23 Rebels to Be Integrated into DRC Army

    {{The Kinshasa government and M23 rebel movement are expected to sign an agreement on March 15 in Kampala, Uganda, a move that would bring an end to talks that began in December 2012, Congolese Potentiale newspaper reported.}}

    The agreement would have M23 fighters integrated into the FARDC force as was the case with CNDP in 2009.

    Sources say that Kinshasa government would only absorb M23 rebels not above the rank of Lieutenant.

    M23 rebels above the rank of Leuitnant would consider demoblising to civilian life.

    Kinshasa also proposes that M23 military chiefs affected by UN sanctions would also be granted amnesty in an agreement with the Parliament.

    However, the break away faction led by Bishop Runiga the former political head of M23 has strongly opposed the reintegration of M23 fighters into the national army.

    The faction under Brigadier Sultani Makenga is willing to sign this agreement with Kinshasa government.

    President Joseph Kabila is said to be in consultation with members of parliamentary majority on the forthcoming deal with M23 movement.

    Brig. Sultani Makenga the military leader of the M23 Movement is also consulting with his Leutenants at their base in Bunagana on the border with Uganda.

    Meanwhile the faction loyal to Jean-Marie Runiga, deposed President of M23 are said to be preparing for the possibility of an attack on the coalition between Congolese FARDC troops and faction loyal to Brig. Makenga.

    However, according to Col. Mirindi Seraphin, spokesman for the pro-Runiga faction of M23 has condemned as unfortunate alliance between Kinshasa and Makenga.

    Col.Mirindi considering the Kinshasa alliance with Brig. Makenga will torpedo negotiations Kampala.

    He says, “We learned that the Chief of Army Staff of the Congolese army, Gen. Francois Olenga is preparing basic operations in Goma, in anticipation of an attack on our positions”.

    The attack is said to be a coalition with the Rwandan rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Mai-Mai militias and men Sultani Makenga.

    “They will be held responsible for any deterioration of the security situation in the Kivu,” Col. Mirindi warned.

  • Israel on Alert as Locusts Attack Egypt

    Israel is on a locust alert as swarms of the destructive bugs descend on neighboring Egypt ahead of the Passover holiday.

    Israel’s Agriculture Ministry set up an emergency hotline Monday and is asking Israelis to be vigilant in reporting locust sightings to prevent an outbreak.

    Locusts have a devastating effect on agriculture by quickly stripping crops.
    Swarms of locusts have descended on Egypt, raising fears they could spread to Israel.

    The locust alert comes ahead of the Passover festival, which recounts the biblical story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. According to the Bible, a plague of locusts was one of 10 plagues God imposed on Egyptians for enslaving and abusing ancient Hebrews.

  • Iran Farmers Clash With Police Over Water Rights

    {{Hundreds of farmers in central Iran have clashed with police during a protest this week against the government’s decision to divert water from the area to another province.}}

    Iranian media say farmers in the town of Varzaneh in Isfahan province smashed a pipeline carrying water from Zayandeh Rood River to neighboring Yazd province.

    The Isfahan farmers say they need the water themselves because of a prolonged drought.

    The semiofficial Mehr news agency said Saturday that the farmers agreed to hold talks with government officials to resolve the long-running dispute.

    The clashes with the police erupted during a protest by the farmers on Wednesday. Several people were injured.

    Protests over farming issues are rare in Iran though Isfahan province has recently been the scene of small, sporadic rallies over water rights.

    Wirestory

  • Weather Forecast for March

    {{The Rwanda Meteorological Agency has issued the seasonal forecast for the rainfall period of March to May 2013, in a National outlook forum held at Kigali. }}

    According to the information presented, some parts of the country will have above normal rainfall depending on their setup and topographical nature.

    Eastern province and southern province are expected to have normal rainfall with a tendency to below normal rainfall, less or equal to 300mm of rainfall.

    These areas are of Kirehe, Ngoma, Kayonza, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Rwamagana, Bugesera, Gisagara, Nyanza, Ruhango, Huye and Nyaruguru Districts.

    The rest of the country, especially Northern Province and parts of southern province, western province and City of Kigali, is expected to have normal rainfall with tendency to above normal rainfall, equal or above 400 mm of rainfall.

    These areas include Gicumbi, Burera, Musanze, Rulindo, Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyamagabe, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rubavu and Gakenke Districts.

  • Kamonyi Residents Urged to Plant Agro-forestry species

    {{About 5600 Agro-forestry species have been planted in Nyagasozi village, Buguri cell, Rukoma sector in Kamonyi district as a way of conserving the environment.}}

    Mixing trees with crops is intended to control soil erosion as well as curbing landslides.

    Residents of Nyagasozi village revealed that they had suffered from soil erosion that washes away soil and crops reducing soil fertility.

    Jean Marie Vianney Rukundo, worker for Vi-Agro forestry, explains that they protect the environment by funding agricultural projects to grow crops that stand climate changes.

    He adds that residents are urged to plant agro-forestry species for firewood and other home purposes with crops such as coriander, paw paws etc.

  • UK Warms Against Ivory Poaching

    {{The United Kingdom has warned that profits from illegal ivory trade may be used to fund terrorism unless urgent action is taken to stem the vice.}}

    The UK is now calling for a concerted effort from the international community to end the poaching menace before it takes the new form.

    Speaking Monday at an event bringing together wildlife conservation organisations in Nairobi, UK Minister for Natural Resources Richard Benyon warned the international community against treating poaching in Kenya as an isolated incidence.

    He said there is need to act with urgency to curtail poaching that has escalated despite various intervention measures.

    He said this even as 600 pieces of ivory worth Sh100 million were intercepted at the Port of Mombasa last month headed for Indonesia.

    “This is not a Kenyan or African problem but an international crisis,” Mr Benyon said.

  • Women in Kicukiro Trained on Climate Change

    {{Women representatives in Kicukiro District have been recommended to mainstream climate change into their programs and daily activities so that they can convey climate change adaptation knowledge their collegues.}}

    The call was made earlier this week during sessions organized by REMA in partnership with National Women Council and members of Districts Women Councils.

    Addressing participants, Faustin Munyazikwiye Director of Climate Change and International Obligations Unit in REMA hoped that the trained women will train other women.

    “We expect you to convey the knowledge acquired from trainings to other women in Kicukiro district and to sensitize them on how they can integrate methods of fighting against climate change in their daily activities to prevent it and eliminate its effects in Rwanda,” Munyazikwiye said.

    Cyamikazi Chantal, the executive secretary of NAWOCO in Gikondo sector said they are going to sensitize their fellows to actively participate in the fight against climate change and its effects.

    Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, Director General of REMA urged participants to implement skills acquired from trainings and called them to join efforts in order to contribute effectively in fighting against climate change in Rwanda.

  • Minister Kamanzi Urges Citizens to Protect Trees

    {{The Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi has urged local leaders in Nyagatare to mobilise residents to protect trees planted along the roads and on hills.}}

    The call was made during his tour at Tabagwe, Rwimiyaga and Karangazi sectors in Nyagatare where he found some planted trees were destroyed by cattle.

    Kamanzi urged leaders to address such careless behaviour among the population.

    A tree planting project is jointly run by Nyagatare District and RDF Reserve Force. The forestation process has covered about 1084 ha in the area in 18 months only.

    When visiting Nyagatare, Minister Stanislas Kamanzi was accompanied by the Deputy Reserve Force Commander, Maj Gen. Jerome Ngendahimana, other RDF officers and District Authorities.

    Planting trees is a major priority for environmental protection in Rwanda. Government launched a forestation program to ensure that forest cover takes up at least 30% of the country’s total surface area.

    Current forest cover has reached 24% according to Minister Kamanzi.

  • Tsunami hits South Pacific, many Feared Dead

    {{A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands generated a tsunami of up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) that damaged dozens of homes and likely killed several people in the South Pacific island chain Wednesday.}}

    Authorities canceled warnings for tsunamis on more distant coasts.

    Solomons officials reported two 1.5-meter (4 foot, 11-inch) waves hit the western side of Santa Cruz Island, damaging between 70 and 80 homes and properties, said George Herming, a spokesman for the prime minister.

    Many villagers had headed to higher ground as a precaution, Herming said.

    Solomon Islands Police Commissioner John Lansley said local police patrols had reported that several people were presumed dead, though the reports were still being verified.

    “Sadly, we believe some people have lost their lives,” he said. “At the moment we potentially know of four, but there may of course be more.”

    One of the people presumed dead was fishing in a dugout canoe when the first wave hit, sweeping him out to sea, Herming said. Officials were searching for his body.

    Another woman was believed to have drowned when the water rushed into her village, Herming said.

    Four villages on Santa Cruz were impacted by the waves, with two facing severe damage, Lansley said. Other areas of the Solomons did not appear to have been seriously affected.

    Disaster officials were struggling to reach the remote area after the tsunami flooded the airstrip at the nearest airport and left it littered with debris.