The Rwandan people have been urged to embrace the use of naturally-occurring eco-friendly sources of energy such biogas and solar power, and to practice environmentally-conscious activities such as terracing to fight soil erosion.

 Natural Resources Minister Stanislas Kamanzi made the call during a press briefing this Tuesday in preparation of the World Environment Day slated for the 5th June this year.

World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action.

This comes on the heels of the a week-long awareness campaign launched in Rwanda since the 26th this month, which Minister Kamanzi stressed to reporters is aimed at encouraging and building awareness of the environment conservation not only in the country but the entire globe, this year's theme being "Economic advancement based on conservation of the environment, play your part."

"In all our actions, let try to be conscious of trying to preserve the environment. The preferred path is that of achieving long-term, sustainable development both social and economic, taking into account the present populace but also future generations," Minister Kamanzi said to News Of Rwanda.

Among queries posed by journalists included the repeated occurrence of late throughout the country, of flooding and land-slides due to torrential rains which caused havoc and loss of lives. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Cyrille Turatsinze in reply to this pointed out the task-force appointed by the Prime Minister, and efforts by the government to relocate people found to be living on hill slopes and other high-risk areas.

During the week-long environmental conservation campaign, locals are urged to participate in various activities that are planned, and to also embrace the use of alternative sources of energy such as bio gas, solar energy, among others. The campaign will also see the planting of trees and reforestation efforts countrywide to fight soil erosion and deforestation.

The week-long awareness campaign will be brought to a close nationally on the 5th, coinciding with the World Environment Day, marking the 40th time Rwanda will join the world in recognition of this day.

Source : allafrica.com