Planted trees on the roads, bamboos along the rivers, afforestation, agroforestry in the citizens’ farms and fruit trees around homes are the activities aimed at restoring land affected by soil erosion in Secoko sub-catchment.

Currently, 4857, 4 hectares have been restored in the catchment project which was launched in 2019 to be implemented by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB).

During exclusive interviews with different beneficiaries, they welcome the project as a remarkable act of curbing soil erosion.

Euphrasie Mukandanga, who resides in Nyange Sector, Ngororero District, remarks that these activities have played a pivotal role in protecting their land.

“For instance, constructing trench ditches or canals and planting trees have been our viable solutions to curb erosions that used to carry our fertile soils away. We shall no longer worry about such a challenge,” says Mukandanga.

Papias Nzayisenga says that the project beneficiaries are committed to play their part to ensure the sustainability and protection of the implemented activities.

Secoko sub-catchment was found to be the greatest contributor to the siltation of Nyabarongo River, the main source of domestic water supply to the City of Kigali. It also supplies water to four hydropower plants, the main one being the Nyabarongo I hydropower plant with a capacity of 28 MW.

Secoko flows into Nyabarongo River and affects Nyabarongo hydropower plant.

Authorities speak out

Godefroid Ndayambaje, Ngororero District Mayor, notes that the project has contributed to fighting a lot of erosion to which Secoko River is exposed due to human activities including agriculture and mining.

 “Our district is one of hilly areas prone to disasters. The restoration activities have remarkably protected lives of people as well the environment while combatting erosions, landslides, among others. They have also provided employment for citizens,” he says.

Prime Ngabonziza, Director General of Rwanda Water Resources Board, explains that in the water resources management sector there various measures set to oversee integrated planning of water resources, catchments restoration, and erosion control and water storage development.