Public warned over bush burning

Part of the destroyed forest in Gisagara district

The public has been advised against bush burning because it has negative effects on the environment and one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.

Bush burning is responsible for deforestation, desertification, pollution, and climate change. Environmental degradation in turn increases the vulnerability of the societies and contributes to the scarcity of natural resources.

Cases of bush burning have been recorded in different parts of the country, partly due to irresponsibility of the public.

According to police, on February 26, fire gutted over two hectares of forest in Gisagara District. The incident was caused by a person who was harvesting honey.

Another case was reported the following day where other four hectares of forest was gutted by fire in the same district.

The main causes of bush fire in Rwanda include; honey harvesting, agricultural activities like burning mulches in gardens, throwing of burning cigarettes, lighting of fires in restricted areas like national parks and other public places that is covered by green covers.

Police urges the public o be careful with fire and in case of fire outbreak, they should quickly report it to the nearest authorities or Police stations.

“It is important to stay calm and try to extinguish the fire using any appropriate means we have at our disposal like pouring water or throwing soil on the base of the fire or strike the fire using green branches,” says a police advisory note.

It is very easy to suppress a fire during its early stages but when the burning frame is too big it can take time to manage it and requires a lot of energy and resources.