Rulindo: Reforestation begins on a hill recently devastated by Wildfire
The Rulindo District administration, in partnership with Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Environmental Protection (SDAEP), has embarked on a reforestation campaign on Mukumba Hill, located in Muvumu Cell, Shyorongi Sector. This hill was ravaged by a wildfire in August 2024, leaving the forest completely destroyed.
Following the fire, the barren hill became highly prone to soil erosion, with rainwater washing away soil and rocks, endangering the lives of residents in the valleys below.
Dinah Mujawimana, the head of SDAEP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing agriculture, livestock, and environmental protection, pledged to supply and plant seedlings on the hill. She emphasized the organization’s commitment to restoring the forest and safeguarding the environment.
“We aim to restore the forest that once thrived here. This steep, bare hillside poses a serious risk of landslides and accidents if left unprotected. We’ll continue planting trees and monitoring their growth to ensure survival, aligning with our annual target of planting 10,000 trees,” Mujawimana stated.
She added, “We urge residents and local authorities to collaborate by avoiding grazing livestock in the reforested areas to prevent damage. We will maintain strong partnerships with authorities to preserve the forest and protect the environment.”
Rodrigue Mbera, the Executive Secretary of Shyorongi Sector, expressed relief at the intervention, highlighting their prior concerns about the hill’s hazardous state.
“This hill, once covered by state and private forests, lost nearly nine hectares of forest to the wildfire. The environmental destruction not only disrupted the ecosystem but also posed significant risks to residents living below, as the forest used to retain water and prevent flooding,” he said.
He continued, “That’s why we prioritized reforesting this hill and will expand the effort to cover the remaining areas. Seedlings are available, and reforestation is ongoing, even on privately-owned lands. We urge residents to protect the environment and report anyone causing harm, while we work to restore degraded areas.”
The reforestation initiative targets both state and private lands affected by the fire.
In 2023, the Rwandan government launched a nationwide campaign to plant over 63 million trees of various species, aiming to enhance environmental conservation and combat climate change.
