Janvier Munyentwari, 44, was arrested in the forest on Wednesday, March 16, cutting trees, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region.
“Munyentwari was found in the government protected forest and had already cut 112 trees when Police arrived,” SP Twizeyimana said.
The environmental crime was reported by the local residents, he added.
It is said that Munyentwari has been cutting trees in the gazetted forest for the past four days, for charcoal burning.
SP Twizeyimana thanked residents, who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
He further warned against destroying forests, an act of environmental degradation.
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Gahara station for further legal process.
Article 44 of Law N°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment prohibits the following acts in order to protect biodiversity: burning forests, national parks and reserved areas, burning swamps, grazing land, bushes, grass with the aim of agriculture or organising grazing land, killing, injuring and capturing animals of endangered species, destroying or damaging habitats, larvae, pupae or the young animals of the endangered species, causing death or burning protected plants, harvesting or destroying them, transporting or selling the remains of a whole or part of an animal and plants of endangered species, and cutting trees in forests or protected areas or in national parks.
In article 59; any person who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf3 million.
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