World Environment Day and the Day to Combat Desertification and Drought were celebrated in Burundi on Thursday 16 July under the theme: “Let's protect biodiversity, a source of well-being”. The Vice-President, Proser Bazombaza, who enhanced the presence of the ceremonies on this day, announced some programs that Burundi has put forward to protect biodiversity and the environment as a whole.

He cited the Burundian government's plan to cloak all the hills with trees in the “Ewe Burundi urambaye” project, the drawing of contour lines on the hills and the fight against bushfires are also environmental protection programs promised and supported by the government, continued the Vice President.

In order to protect the land and biodiversity, the Burundian Vice President invites the population to fight against any work that would contribute to the degradation of the earth, such as the use of packaging in non-biodegradable plastic bags.

At the same time, the Vice President of the Republic, Prosper Bazombaza invited the use of alternative packaging because it is available on the market. Operators of building materials are asked to respect environmental standards and those who claim the right to operate lawlessly will be severely punished. He did not forget to remind the population to respect hygiene and prevention measures against the coronavirus.

A day before the celebration of these international days, Minister Déo Guide Rurema announced that this year 2020, the themes chosen at the global level to celebrate the two days are respectively: “biodiversity and strengthening soils, strengthening life everywhere”

He recalled that since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated and is the most important event that aims to create positive ecological actions on a global scale in order to attract attention. of the public on environmental issues.

The Minister in charge of the environment also said that this day encourages the population to become actors in sustainable and equitable development by stressing the importance of changing attitudes. As for the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, he mentioned that it aims to recall the dangers of desertification and drought in the world so that all nations can take actions in the direction of combating climate change.

The celebration of World Environment Day and that of the fight against desertification and drought began with the preparation of the nurseries and the establishment of seed seeds, tree plans in the sprouts which began these ceremonies of the day dedicated to the environment and the fight against drought and desertification.