Rwanda Faces Serious Deforestation Problems
Copyright © 2000 Panafrican News Agency
October 16, 2000
The impressive Nyungwe forest, along Rwanda's south-eastern districts of Cyangugu, Kibuye and Butare, spanning more than 250,000 hectares, is no longer the same.
According to forestry officials, the forest well known for its 200 woody species, now covers only 87,000 hectares.
Athnase Nyamacumu, in charge of the parks at the Rwandan tourism and National Park office, blames human activities for the bizarre situation.
In addition to felling trees for firewood or for construction, farmers living close to the Park are engaged in other illegal activities that have plundered the forest for more than 30 years.
The destructive activities range from the panning of gold, to slash-and-burn agriculture, pasturage or even deliberate fires that are lit every year, Nyamacumu said.
He added that politics has also contributed in Rwanda's environmental degradation.
The official said that besides Nyungwe, 75 percent of the parks of Akagera (south-east), those of the volcanoes (12,000 hectares) and Gishwati (2,000 hectares), have also come under destruction.
He said the consequences of the human degradation were telling in Rwanda, which now experiences climatic disturbances (prolonged dry season and unusual rise in temperatures).
He, therefore, urged authorities in Kigali to take tough measures, including large-scale reforestation, population sensitisation and involvement in environmental protection activities, to reverse the situation.
Nyanmacumu said since mountain tourism occupied the third place in Rwanda's economy, it was necessary for the authorities to concentrate on environmental protection activities.