The City of Kigali plans to plant more than 3 million trees along roads and in homes over the next five years, calling on the city’s youth to play a key role in the initiative.
Under the program, known as “Igiti cyanjye” or “My Tree,” young people will be provided with trees to plant and are expected to regularly monitor and care for them as they grow. The effort will involve ongoing follow-ups to ensure the trees’ health and development, according to city officials.
During a youth volunteer event in Gahanga on Oct. 12, Antoine Mutsinzi, Kicukiro District’s Executive Administrator, encouraged participants to take ownership of the project. “If possible, write your name on it,” Mutsinzi said, referring to the trees.
Mutsinzi added that the project will initially focus on major roads, starting with the one leading to Bugesera, with plans to expand tree planting throughout Kicukiro District, including roadsides and residential areas.
Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, spokesperson for the City of Kigali, highlighted the importance of including fruit-bearing trees in the initiative to help combat malnutrition. She also emphasized the need for residents living near roads to maintain a 20-meter buffer zone for grassland and trees.
Ntirenganya noted that regular visits will be made to assess the progress of the planted trees and determine how many have successfully matured.
Residents can obtain tree seedlings from district offices, where they will be directed to nurseries. Seedlings start at 500 Rwandan Francs.
This effort is part of a broader national plan by the Ministry of Environment to ensure 2 million hectares of land in Rwanda are covered with forests by 2030.
