Green Amayaga interventions: Local leaders in Kamonyi urged to work jointly towards sustainability

The Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development in Kamonyi District, Mr. Uzziel Niyongira, urged the local authorities to play an active role in maintaining decentralized activities through the project ‘Forest Landscape Restoration in the Amayaga Region (Green Amayaga)’.

He made this call during an evaluation meeting of Green Amayaga achievements that brought together different leaders from the intervention zone, on September 19, 2024.

Launched in 2020, Green Amayaga Project is a six-year initiative to promote biodiversity, foster ecosystem services, increase agricultural productivity and reduce the vulnerability of people and ecosystems to the adverse effects of climate change in the Southern Province.

It has been implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority in partnership with the Rwanda Forestry Authority and the Districts of Kamonyi, Nyanza, Ruhango and Gisagara. In Kamonyi District, the beneficiary Sectors include Mugina, Nyarubaka, Rugalika and Nyamiyaga.

Mr. Uzziel Niyongira said that the activities that have been achieved are commendable and are a sign that the objectives of the project have been achieved.

“It is clear that Green Amayaga Project has achieved its goals. You see that the biodiversity we were looking for is there. It is good news that Amayaga will be green again as it was the goal of this project”, he said.

In four Sectors of Kamonyi District, at least 2436 hectares of agroforest trees; 57,398 fruit trees were planted and 244 hectares were afforested.

Green Amayaga also distributed improved cookstoves to 17,900 households to improve human health and contribute to mitigating deforestation and climate change.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) were installed in five secondary schools, namely, ESB Kamonyi, St Ignace Mugina, GS Ruyumba (Nyamiyaga), ECOSE Musambira, and APEC Remera-Rukoma.

Some other 334 households were given small livestock (pigs) to improve food security and increase incomes.

“Environmental protection is the cornerstone of sustainable development. Without it, our lives would be ruined. Therefore, we request that all institutions understand it and fight against those who harm environment so that we build a sustainable life”, Mr. Niyongira emphasized.

“Because of the importance of ecosystems, their conservation and management are essential for climate resilience”, Henriette Peace Uwamahoro, in charge of Green Amayaga/Kamonyi, stated.