Rwanda National Police

The joint afforestation exercise between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, continued this Saturday in Nyaruguru District where thousands of residents joined the Police to plant about 9600 trees.

The agreement between RNP and the ministry specifies planting at least 27, 000 hectares of trees across the country, with 22000 on agroforestry land and 5000 on hilly areas.

About 4000 residents as well as the army and local leaders joined the Police in planting trees in Nyaruguru on the six hectares land.

The vice mayor of Nyaruguru in charge of Social Affairs, Collette Kayitesi, while addressing thousands of participants shortly after the exercise, thanked the residents for the big turn up, and for he continued partnership in various security and development activities.

She further urged them to protect forests and report acts of deforestation.

She also appealed to them to heed the national community development programmes like umuganda and subscribe to public health insurance scheme in time.

The Regional Police Commander for the Southern province, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gilbert Gumira, who also emphasised the importance of conserving the environment and planting trees in their surroundings, embarked on partnership in averting crime.

“Protecting the environment is for everyone, and that starts in your homes planting trees, protecting what has been achieved and reporting those that destroy forests,” the RPC said.

The planting of trees in Nyaruguru comes a week after planting other 40 hectares in Ruhango District, a week a go.