Rwanda National Police

Police in Muhanga District arrested a man identified as Protais Maniragaba, for illegally felling trees in a gazetted forest to burn charcoal.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Southern region Police spokesperson, said the suspect and his accomplices had already destroyed about a half a hectare of the gazetted forest located in Kanyana Cell of Rugendabari Sector.

"Maniragaba was caught red-handed burning charcoal. He was with other three men, who managed to escape," he said.

“The arrest was made possible due to information Police had earlier received from public and local leaders, officers were immediately dispatched to the scene where they found them burning charcoal at night," CIP Twizere said.

CIP Twizere commended residents for the community policing act to protect the environment.

He warned against cutting trees and other environmental degradation activities and called upon the general public to continue sharing information on such illegal acts.

Under article 416 of the penal code, any person who illegally sets fire to, 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 between Rwf300, 000 and Rwf2 million or one of these penalties.