A national plan to conserve forests in the country will be unveiled next month, according to stakeholders and experts in forestry management.
The team which met for a retreat in Ruhengeri town unanimously agreed that more emphasis should be put in planting more trees, the target is to have 30% forest coverage in the country by the year 2020.
Jean Gapusi the head of forestry and agro-forestry research station of Rwanda noted that there’s a 21% forest coverage, a fact that also shows good results in environmental conservation.
“Today 13 percent consists of natural and planted forests above 0.5 hectares the remaining is 8 percent of agro-forestry and woodland-lots of less than 0.5 hectares,” he said.
Claudien Habimana the director of A forestation Support Program (PAREF in French) noted that in order for forestry to be improved some key measures will be taken, and among them include, planting trees, sustainable management and income generation.
Some of the activities will be implemented under PAREF a four year program which is funded by the Belgian Development Agency (BTC) to the tune of Euro 6 million.
Habimana further pointed out those planting trees will be among the program’s priorities; hence they intend to support the growth of eucalyptus trees since they germinate in a short time and can do well in various climates.
“In terms of reducing cutting down of trees, we intend to introduce other alternatives of fuel like pit and biogas so that people don’t depend mainly on charcoal which is obtained from trees,” he said.
Gapusi was quick to advise that Eucalyptus trees shouldn’t be planted close to the source of rivers since they absorb a lot of water.
He however noted that the tree can be used for economic growth since its hard wood timber has demand in both local and international market.
The program will also train people from the private sector on how to manage their forests since the majority of big hectares of land containing trees is owned by individuals.
ENDS
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