Karongi: 1.2 million trees to be planted to combat disasters

This was revealed in Mubuga sector on October 18, 2024, after a community work activity where over 12,000 trees were planted as part of the initiative to restore the priests’ forest located within the boundaries of Mubuga Secondary School.

In May 2023, Karongi District was one of the areas in Rwanda severely hit by disasters, resulting in the loss of lives, infrastructure, and crops.

One of the measures the district has taken to mitigate such disasters includes planting trees that help protect the soil on the hillsides.

Gahutu Mbabarira Anastase, the Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Karongi District, stated that this year, the district, in partnership with stakeholders, plans to plant various types of trees, including forests and agroforestry trees.

The district will receive support from several partners, including the Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network (RCCDN).

RCCDN Executive Director Faustin Vuningoma explained that one of the reasons for planting over 220,000 trees in Karongi District is the area’s vulnerability to disasters in the past year.

“In Mubuga sector, we plan to plant 220,000 trees that will be well-matured within the next five years,” he said.

Father Jean de Dieu Niyonsenga, the head of Mubuga Secondary School, highlighted the expected benefits of the trees, including providing fresh air for students and boosting the school’s economy.

“There are also economic benefits, as mature trees can be sold, used for firewood, carpentry, or construction—trees have numerous uses,” he added.

Residents of Mubuga sector, who participated in the tree-planting activity, expressed their understanding of the importance of trees and vowed to protect them.

Turebe, from Mara village in Nyagatovu cell, told IGIHE that trees are beneficial as they attract rain during dry spells.

“Trees hold the soil together, preventing erosion and landslides, and some have medicinal properties like the mayideni trees we planted, whose leaves can be used for healing,” he said.

Marie Jeanne Nyiraneza also emphasized that she wouldn’t allow anyone to destroy the trees because she understands their value.

“The trees we planted will be well-protected; we won’t allow livestock to destroy them before they mature,” she affirmed.

In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Karongi District plans to plant 1,246,000 trees, including 800,000 agroforestry trees, and establish a 30-hectare forest.

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