Kigali plants 2,238 trees to start forestry season
More than 5,000 residents joined the Rwanda Forestry Authority and Ministry of Environment on Saturday, November 7.
Kigali planted 2,238 tree seedlings across eight hectares in Gahanga Sector, Kicukiro District, marking the start of Rwanda's 2026/2027 tree-planting season on Saturday, November 7. The community work programme, held in Nyabigugu Village, involved over 5,000 residents, security personnel, and partners.
The Rwanda Forestry Authority and the Ministry of Environment organised the event under the theme “My Tree, My Legacy,” encouraging community responsibility for tree maintenance and protection. Fidèle Bingwa, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, urged commitment to the trees' growth, stating their legacy will benefit lives. Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Director General of the Rwanda Forestry Authority, highlighted that expanding forest cover addresses soil erosion and land degradation.
The planted species, including Imisave and Jacaranda, are expected to conserve soil, enhance hillside appearance, and support biodiversity near the Nyabarongo River wetland. This initiative is part of Rwanda's broader strategy to increase forest cover, manage natural resources sustainably, and bolster climate change response.
Why it mattersResidents of Gahanga Sector are directly affected by the tree planting, which aims to protect agricultural land and secure a healthier environment by reducing soil erosion and controlling pests.