Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has warned communities living around Ibisi bya Huye forest to desist from destroying the gazetted forest.

The caution follows separate cases where people have been caught cutting trees in this forest.

According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, 28 people have been arrested in the forest over the past one week.

“Those arrested had cut trees for construction, selling while others were burning charcoal,” CIP Karekezi said.

“Security organs and local authorities have increased operations and awareness against these environmental crimes. We call upon communities living around to stop encroaching on this gazetted forest because it’s a crime punishable by law,” he added.

Article 44 of the law on environment, prohibits cutting trees in forests or protected areas like national parks or burning them.

Article 59 of the same legal instrument, states that any person, who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to an imprisonment term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf3 million.

CIP Karekezi appealed to the residents to protect the forest by sharing information whenever they see people cutting trees or conducting any unlawful activities in the gazetted area.