The celebration took place in Bweramana Sector, Ruhango District, marking the 16th World Bamboo Day. The event is observed every year on September 18.
The theme for this year's celebration highlighted bamboo as a solution for both environmental sustainability and innovative applications in the craft industry.
EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda was lauded for its contributions to environmental protection, with a particular focus on its efforts to restore land along riverbanks in eight districts. Notably, 307 hectares of land in Ruhango District were restored, and bamboo was planted to combat soil erosion.
In addition to land restoration, EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda created employment for 1,000 people and established 60 kitchen gardens to help combat malnutrition in the region. The organization also partnered with local communities to promote modern farming techniques that contribute to soil restoration, with efforts covering seven hectares in Bweramana.
Furthermore, EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda supported 270 farmers through various initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods. The organization also renovated five houses for vulnerable families and built a daycare center to support community well-being.
Sharon Higiro Umuratwa, the General Manager of EcoPlanet Bamboo Rwanda, expressed the organization's commitment to advancing bamboo cultivation to protect riverbanks and improve the livelihoods of people in Ruhango District. She also extended her gratitude to the community for their partnership over the past three years, which has been instrumental in the restoration of the 307-hectare area.
The Vice Mayor for Economic Development of Ruhango District, Jean Marie Vianney Rusilibana, highlighted EcoPlanet's significant role in improving the community's quality of life through erosion control measures and emphasized the importance of bamboo conservation for providing sustainable livelihoods.
Remy Songa, representing the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), emphasized how bamboo plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing carbon emissions and combating soil erosion and landslides.
Divine Cyambarantama, Forest Extension Officer at Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), also urged the residents of Ruhango to continue preserving bamboo and thanked EcoPlanet for its ongoing contributions to environmental conservation.
IGIHE
