English
Kinyarwanda
The Eastern Province Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP), Emmanuel Kayigi, has warned against acts of environment degradation that involve deforestation which has negatively impacted the community in Gatsibo District.
The warning follows an event on November 14, when Police in Simbwa, Cell, Gatsibo District intercepted a Toyota car and confiscated a tone of Kabaruka stumps, a local plant cut illegally.
The car driver, Innocent Ntibanganyimana, 32, and his accomplice Evariste Safari were immediately apprehended and are held at Kabarore Police Station.
“Cutting trees has negative impact and it brings about major problems for the eco-system and social-economic environment for residents. There is need for a collective fight against such acts in order to avoid long-term consequences," he said.
He noted, “We have many times appealed to the population to abstain from such acts. Some have honored the call, others not. There is need for collective efforts to fight all acts related to the degradation of the environment.”
IP Kayigi lauded the public for providing Police with timely information which has successfully led to the arrest of criminals.
He reminded that for anyone to cut or transport trees from one area to another, they must seek for authorization from local leaders in the area.
Article 416 of the penal code provides for punishment to anyone who cuts trees without authorization or who causes others to do so.
Once found guilty, the culprit can serve a prison sentence between six months and two years – and, or, a fine between Rwf300, 000 and Rwf2 million.
