Police asked the residents to report people, who destroy forests to sell trees and other individual activities.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the southern region, said that there have been reports of people in Musha Sector, who fell trees in protected forests.

He added that some of those destroying forests have been arrested in separate operations.

"On Monday, February 20, one person was arrested in a forest located in Mujyejuru village, Bukinanyana cell of Musha Sector where he was cutting trees to sell and for firewood.

It was not the first the same person together with others, were mentioned in the same environmental crimes," CIP Habiyaremye said.

The suspect was handed over to RIB at Save station.

He lauded residents, who protect the forests and report those who destroy them.

Article 44 of the law on environment, prohibits cutting trees in forests or protected areas like national parks or burning them.

Article 59 of the same legal instrument stipulates that any person, who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to an imprisonment term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf3 million.