{Rwanda targets to restore 2,000,000 hectares of devastated forests by 2020.The move is in response to population growth and their need for fuel which results in forests destruction in Rwanda and East African region (EAC).}
Despite forests ravages, many people expect sustainable solutions from the Forest Landscape Restoration Hub (FLRH), an institution which restores ravaged forests and valleys which was launched in Rwanda yesterday. The later will provide technical assistance, cash assistance and provide information about areas in need of restoration. This institution will be based in Kigali.
Talking about the importance of launching the Forest Landscape Restoration Hub, the assistant secretary of EAC in charge of social welfare and harvest, Jesca Eriyo said “This is an opportunity we obtain as a region to have this institution operating in Rwanda since it will help to mend ravages. When a forest is restored, it contributes better to the protection of land and helps in addressing climate change among others.”
The coordinator of FLRH, Charles Karangwa said that the institution will be connecting 24 countries from East Africa and South Africa regions and will help them to establish ways of restoring land and forests, connecting these countries with partners and sharing knowledge needed among International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Charles Karangwa shared that FLRH has already provided support to restore destroyed forests in Rutsiro and Gicumbi districts.
Through the support of FLRH 12,000,000 hectares of forests will be restored in EAC.2,000,000 hectares will be restored in Rwanda;2,000,000 in Burundi;5,000,0000 hectares in Tanzania and 2,500,000 hectares will be restored in Uganda.
Charles said that Rwanda was selected to host the FLRH because of demonstrating willingness and efforts in mending destroyed forests.
The director of Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA), Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza said that they target to plant forests on 30% of Rwanda’s land before 2020.Currently forests occupy 29.6% of Rwanda’s land.
Dr.Nkurunziza explained that there is a plan of reducing the usage of wood related fuel among Rwandans from 98% to 50%.
The Forest Landscape Restoration Hub was launched yesterday while the World celebrated the International Day of Forests.
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