The call follows the arrest of one Godfroid Ndayisabye , 43, on Friday, February 10, for allegedly cutting trees in a protected forest located in Gituku village, Kibatsi cell of Rukira sector.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Ndayisabye was also cultivating in the same forest.

"He was arrested after cutting 27 trees and handed over to RIB at Rukira station. He also had a maize garden in the same forest, which is prohibited," SP Twizeyimana said.

The environmental crimes, he added, were reported by area residents.

The spokesperson thanked the residents for reporting such unlawful acts of environmental degradation, and to always report anyone encroaching on forests.

Article 44 of Law N°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment prohibits the following acts in order to protect biodiversity: burning forests, national parks and reserved areas, burning swamps, grazing land, bushes, grass with the aim of agriculture or organising grazing land, killing, injuring and capturing animals of endangered species, destroying or damaging habitats, larvae, pupae or the young animals of the endangered species, causing death or burning protected plants, harvesting or destroying them, transporting or selling the remains of a whole or part of an animal and plants of endangered species, and cutting trees in forests or protected areas or in national parks.

In article 59; any person who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf3 million.

Ndayisabye was arrested on Friday 10th February 2023 for allegedly cutting trees in a protected forest located in Rukira Sector.