The majority of Burundians do not understand the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem. The Ministry in charge of environment eagerly needs journalists’ sensitization.-Diane Uwimana
Jean Claude Nduwayo: “It is very necessary to provide information and encourage all stakeholders to carry out actions of conservation of ecosystem and their biodiversity.” ©Iwacu
“The protected areas and their biodiversity are threatened in Burundi. The needs of growing food, fuel, firewoods, illegal occupation of areas, fast and illicit enrichment, galloping demography are some of the causes which damage and destroy biodiversity and ecosystem,” says Alphonse Fofo, an Expert in environment.
He indicates that once biodiversity is threatened, some consequences should occur: “there are the loss of biodiversity and reduction in qualitative and quantitative reduction of ecosystem.”
Jean Claude Nduwayo, the Minister in Charge of water, Environment, Land and Urban Planning, states that it is very necessary to provide information and encourage all stakeholders to carry out actions of conservation of ecosystem and their biodiversity. “For achieving this goal, we must pass through journalists who are always in contact with people and their voices reach a huger audience,” explains Nduwayo during a workshop organized by that Ministry to Journalists within the context of the biodiversity week.
He notes that the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems is a real threat to the functioning of the planet, economy and humanity. “Gradual reduction of the area of forests, depletion of fish stocks and decrease of agricultural production following the absence of pollinators are now observed here and there,” adds the Minister.
“Accessibility: the main challenges faced by journalists”
In Burundi, there are 15 protected areas divided into four categories by the International Union for the Nature Conservation such as national parks, natural reserves, natural landscapes and natural monuments. “In media we have a problem of accessibility to the field and the obligation of tackling such topics is the most challenge faced by journalists dealing with environment issues related especially to protected areas,” underlines Dorothée Nahayo during her presentation of an overview of different broadcasting and articles related to protected areas.
Significant increases of greenhouse gas emission, spread of invasive alien species, climate change with droughts and flooding affecting the agricultural sector, the main source of the country’s economy and the excessive increasing floods should be known by people in order to prevent disasters.
Currently, the capacity of ecosystem to continue to provide ecosystem information at a satisfactory level is at risk. “The destruction of ecosystems reaches a level where social and economic costs are felt, and this situation will accelerate if nothing is done”, indicates Alphonse Fofo.
According to the Minister, people should be sensitized to the importance of the ecosystem and biodiversity so that they may understand why they should respect and care for the protected areas.
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