English
Kinyarwanda
The Rwanda National Police warns the general community against felling of trees, which has negative impact on the environment.
The public are therefore warned that whoever will be caught in connection with environmental degradation will be dealt with accordingly.
On Friday, one person was arrested in Gahanga sector of Kicukiro District for allegedly felling trees in Bugesera District.
The suspect allegedly cut trees locally known as Kabaruka (umushikiri), whose stumps they were trying to traffic out of the country.
He was intercepted in Gahanga en-route to Kigali with a truck plate number, RAC 654 D, full of the tree stumps.
The suspect is currently detained at Nyamata Police station.
Superintendent (SP) Donat Kinani, Bugesera District Police Commander said they are searching other three people who are connected to this environmental crime.
He warned people involved in this act saying “Rwanda National Police will not blink until they are arrested to face justice.”
“Trafficking of kabaruka and felling of trees without official authorization is a criminal offence which is punishable by the Rwandan laws,” said SP Kinani.
He called for more cooperation with public to protect the endangered tree species such as kabaruka and forestry in general, through information sharing.
