During the launch of National Environment Week on May 25, 2024, in the Musange Sector of Nyamagabe district, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, announced an ambitious goal: by 2030, Rwanda aims to restore 2 million hectares of land and forests, covering 76% of the country’s surface area.
This initiative aligns with the 2024 World Environment Day theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” observed on June 5.
Dr. Mujawamariya highlighted that Rwanda lost 65% of its forest area between 1956 and 1996. However, over the past three decades, Rwanda has successfully reforested 30.4% of its land.
In 2010, efforts led to the restoration of 708,628 hectares of damaged ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and soil, through more than 44 projects affiliated with the Ministry of Environment.
Significant achievements include the restoration of the Rugezi swamp between 2008-2010 and the Gishwati and Mukura forests in 2020, which have been recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Other notable projects include Green Amayaga, Green Gicumbi, and the Nyandungu Eco-Park in Kigali, now a popular tourist destination.
Dr. Mujawamariya expressed gratitude for the support from partners and international organizations in these restoration efforts, which enhance resilience to climate change.
Looking ahead, the ‘Volcano Community Resilience Project’ aims to increase the capacity of residents in volcanic regions to cope with frequent floods.
Dr. Mujawamariya emphasized the importance of community involvement in preventing environmental damage caused by unsustainable agriculture, misuse of industrial fertilizers, forest fires, premature logging, irresponsible mining, and harmful sand mining.
She urged local authorities to intensify efforts to combat erosion, manage water resources, maintain soil health, and restore damaged ecosystems such as swamps, rivers, and valleys.
Sustainable practices, such as harvesting mature forests, using environmentally friendly fuels, reducing single-use plastics, and implementing proper waste management systems, are crucial for environmental conservation.
Dr. Mujawamariya concluded by calling on everyone to contribute to these efforts, ensuring a sustainable and resilient environment for future generations.
