Rwanda National Police

Police has warned the public against encroaching on forest reserves and illegal cutting of trees.

The warning follows the arrest of 13 people in Nyamagabe District, on February 3, for allegedly cutting trees in a gazetted forest, which stretches from Musebeya to Kibumbwe sectors.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson of the Southern region, said the suspects were cutting trees for charcoal burning and timber.

“Police received information from DASSO personnel in the area about people in the two sectors, who sneak into the forest and cut trees,” said CIP Twajamahoro.

He added: “This informed the Police operation on Monday when the 13 suspects were arrested in the forest where they were found cutting trees for charcoal burning and timber.”

During the operation, Police and DASSO also recovered timber and five sacks of charcoal in the house of one Muhire Musabimana, who is among those arrested for destroying the forest.

The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Musebeya Police station.

 “Part of the forest located in Nkomero Village, Sekera cell in Musebeya Sector, which stretches to Gakanka Village in Kibumbwe Sector was affected by these deforestation activities,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

CIP Twajamahoro further urged communities living near the forest not to tolerate those who destroy the forest, which contributes to environmental degradation and has huge effects on people’s health and the ecosystem

He appealed to communities residing near forest reserves to take the lead in their conservation and report those who encroach on them.

Charcoal burning, illegal timber business and bush burning are some of the activities that endanger the environment in the area.

Article 59 of law no 48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment, states that “any person, who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf3 million.”