Rwanda National Police

Police in Kayonza District are holding 20 people for allegedly cutting trees in a gazetted land to burn charcoal. The group was rounded off on May 29, in Gahini Sector with at least 22 sacks of charcoal.

Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire said the arrest followed information provided by residents of Gahini about a group of people involved in cutting of trees for charcoal-burning.

“The operation was conducted with detectives from Rwanda Investigations Bureau, and at the time the suspects were trying to smuggle the packed sacks of charcoal from the forest on bicycles; the suspects neither had authorization to cut trees nor to deal in charcoal business,” CIP Kanamugire said.

Illegal logging and charcoal burning can degrade forests, cause economic, destroyed biodiversity and livelihoods, promoting unhealthy living.

Experts say safeguarding forests is not just the most cost-effective way to mitigate climate change: well-managed forests also ensures generation of reliable water flow, clean air, sustainable timber products, soil stabilization and nutrient recycling among several benefits.

Article 416 of the penal code states that any person, who illegally burns a forest, cuts trees or who causes others to do so or kills animals in classified forests, protected areas and national parks, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf2 million or one of these penalties.