Every year on June 5, the world celebrates World Environment Day. In Rwanda, it has become monotonous that this day is preceded by a week of enthusiastic activities aimed at campaigning for the preservation of the environment. This week, which is scheduled to begin on May 28 and end on June 5, will be observed as International Environment Day.
This year, World Environment Day will be celebrated with the theme: “Biodiversity: nature’s time”.
This theme carries a message that reminds everyone to consider the relationship between human nature and the environment, especially the ecosystem where it sits. But it is also he who plays a major role in your maintenance of balance.
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mujawamaria Jeanne d’Arc, said: “Currently, the world is facing an extraordinary situation due to the COVID-19 outbreak which has added to the problems of climate change.
It has been reported that human activities in the struggle for development have led to the destruction of the environment, including ecosystems, on a scale unprecedented in human history, and that a quarter of these species could disappear completely on Earth within ten years. It is in the future without measures being taken to preserve it.”
This week’s activities will focus on the ecosystem preservation campaign. The problem of destruction of the ecosystem and its habitats threatens the world at large and Rwanda is included, therefore the Government of Rwanda has put in place measures to preserve and restore its habitats where they have been damaged.
The CEO of REMA, Ms. Juliet Kabera said: “In this week dedicated to the preservation of the environment in Rwanda, everyone’s role is important to take care of the ecosystem, harvest without damaging it, and consider its importance for our lives and economy “the country”.
Rwanda, as a country that values the environment, has implemented measures to protect the environment in general and the ecosystem in particular.
– In 1992, it approved the International Convention for the Protection of Biodiversity signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
It also approved various complementary agreements (protocols), including that of Colombia, for the preservation of biodiversity in 2007;
– In 2007, Ramsar was approved in Iran to preserve the natural environment;
– In 2007 he also approved Germany’s Bonn Convention aimed at protecting migratory wild animals, while in 1980 he approved the Washington Convention, cutting off trade in protected animals.
This agreement was implemented to repair other damaged ecosystems such as the Rugezi Swamp, which has a significant impact on the national economy, Mukura and Gishwati National Parks, and the conservation of other parks.
Various projects have been developed and implemented to leverage ecosystems to combat the effects of climate change.
We can say here that the LDCF project aims to strengthen the resilience of communities affected by the effects of the destruction of lakes, forests, and rivers through the restoration of ecosystems.
Rwanda has put in place policies and measures aimed at preserving and combating the decline of the ecosystem. In the objectives of Vision 2050, Rwanda is expected to be one of the countries whose development does not harm the environment and is resistant to climate change.
Rwanda also recently announced its updated action plan to reduce air pollution by 38% over the next ten years (nationally determined contribution) and submitted it to the United Nations, becoming the first African country to submit its strategy.
Alphonse Munyankindi