Forests help not only wildlife but also people. That is why Rwanda has made strong efforts to protect its green areas. These forests give people food, fuel, medicine, and help keep soil fertile by reducing erosion. They also protect water sources and help remove carbon from the air.
To keep the forests safe, Rwanda has created strict laws. These include strong legal protection for forests in national parks to limit human activities and reduce damage. Rangers patrol the parks to stop poaching.
Tree planting programs have been introduced to restore damaged areas, which also create jobs for local people. The government also teaches communities about the dangers of cutting down trees. Many locals now help with tree planting, and this has helped reduce unnecessary fires that can destroy forests.
Rwanda’s forests are mostly evergreen and filled with hardwood trees. These trees have straight trunks and grow in layers. The tallest trees can reach over 40 meters high. Their branches join at the top, blocking sunlight from reaching the ground, which affects the growth of smaller plants below.
The efforts to protect forests in Rwanda have brought many benefits. One of the best examples is Nyungwe Rainforest. It is one of the oldest and most important green areas in the country.
In September 2023, it was officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to over 300 bird species, 200 types of trees, and 13 primate species, making it a colorful and exciting place to visit.
Nyungwe also helps control the climate, purify the air, and provide jobs for many people in Rwanda, such as park rangers, conservationists, and tour guides. This helps improve their daily lives.
Volcanoes National Park is another forested area, known for its bamboo forests because of its high altitude. In Akagera National Park, you will find savanna woodlands.
These grow in small patches but still support many wild animals. There are also riverine forests along river valleys, and areas like Bugesera in the east of Rwanda still have large green canopies.
Long live Rwanda for protecting its forests.
