Book on Rwanda’s botany launched

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) Friday hosted author U. Bloesch for the launch of the book “Les plantes Ligneuses du Rwanda” at a local hotel in Kigali. The book describes in detail the botany and ecology usage of over 800 woody species in Rwanda. MINIRENA Minister, Stanislas Kamanzi, said that the book is an important tool for the sustainable use and protection of natural resources in the country. He said that it provides valuable information on Rwandan ecology that has previously been absent. “We hope that this book can be used by professionals and researchers in the field. In relation to the Great Lakes Forum, we have made a commitment to conserve and improve forests and a book to help us understand our ecology and how best to use and conserve it,” said Kamanzi. He also also noted that forests such as Gishwati and Nyungwe are prone to destruction by human activities. “We hope that this book can contribute to research for improvement and that it will be translated to English in order to reach more people.” Author U. Bloesch praised his co-workers and research contributors for their commitment throughout the ten years of research and development of the book. Bloech noted that science was an important aspect of their work but, in addition, they hoped that their work would contribute to the work of other researchers and field workers. “This book is more of a reference book for field workers. This is the first practical book that will provide information about the botany and the ecology of all plants of Rwanda,” said Bloesch. Ends