March 29, 2024

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Rulindo and Bugesera residents set to benefit as ARCOS moves in to plant six million trees to improve Livelihoods and nature conservation

Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, CEO of ARCOS NETWORK

 

The Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS Network) is implementing a 20 year project known as “Agroforestry for Livelihoods” aimed to improve the well-being of the citizens in Rulindo and Bugesera District.

The launch of the project took place in Karambo Cell in Ngoma Sector in Rulindo District on October 28, 2020.

A total of 3898 agroforestry trees including 215 indigenous species (Mitragyna=Umuzibaziba; Markhamia=Umusave and Ficus=Umuvumu) were planted on 19,5 ha. This is the part of total project target to plant 6 million trees on 15,209 ha in Rulindo and Bugesera Districts over next 3 years

The project will also help in the fight against air pollution where more than three tons of polluted carbon dioxide (CO2) will be filtered through trees and other activities including land conservation and sustainable agriculture within these 20 years starting from January 2020.

The project is being implemented by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS Network) in an effort to protect the environment and improve the well-being of the people in the Albert Albert Rift Network in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of ‘The Environment and its agencies including the Forestry Authority and the Environmental Management Authority (REMA), Rulindo and Bugesera Districts and various other partners, with the support of French investors called “Livelihoods Funds.”

More than 6 million trees will be planted (Diversity of trees including indigenous), 15,209 ha restored, 3 million of tons of CO2 sequestrated in 20years, 120,000 people and 30,000 households will benefit from project.

More than 5,000 jobs will be created, especially those related to environmental protection. 60% of the beneficiaries of this project are women and youth. More than 1,000 small groups of farmers will be set up to help each other and focus on sustainable development and ecosystems.

The  Director of ARCOS Network, Dr. Kanyamibwa Sam, said the project is part of the process of tackling climate change.

“The project is part of the process of tackling climate change and will only be successful if trees are harvested properly and at the right time,” he said. “Community engagement is needed to achieve this.” He added

 “The project will last for 20 years, in all those years it does not mean that the tree will not be harvested, the trees will be harvested when it is time.” Dr. Kanyamibwa explained

Mugabo Jean Pierre, Director of the Rwanda Forestry Authority, said that they had recently begun to develop an agroforestry planting program on nationwide scale.

“It’s a nationwide program,” he said.

He reminded citizens to do participate in tree planting exercise as early as the rainfall is there and that at least by the end of November the tree planting activities for this season would be over since the rainfall will start to decrease later, according to the National Weather Service.

He commended ARCOS Network for its continued contribution to the implementation of government programs, especially in the field of environmental protection and social welfare.

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