From Blue Community Radio Bonesha FM, Burundi:
Lakes Nagitamo and Gacamirindi must be protected so that they do not dry up like in the past.
Transcript (Google): When you reach the northernmost lakes of the country, Lake Nagitamo is located in the area called Umutumba Rugando, Kigoma Zone, Kirundo Commune, where you will find people pumping water and fishermen fishing on the shores of the lake. Locals say that they are trying to protect Lake Nagitamo by keeping a 50-meter fence around the lake and planting umurema trees to protect the environment. In the past, the lake dried up because people used to water the lake and farm it.
This resident of Umutumba Shenga, Kigoma Zone, who is close to Lake Gacaminda, reports that the lake has completely dried up after decisions were made to remove people from farming on its shores. He confirms that the lake is now beautiful and there are plenty of fish.
The National Environment Protection Agency (OBPE) says that the lakes in the northern part of the country must be protected as they are a national treasure. Diomède Maniriyo, who is in charge of the agency in Butanyerera province, calls on citizens and government officials to be aware of their role in protecting the environment in these lakes in accordance with the law.
This is while in Kirundo district in Butanyerera province there are already 8 lakes: Lake Kanzigiri, Lake Rweru, Lake Cohoha, Lake Rwihinda also known as Lake Inyoni, Lake Narungazi, Lake Mungere, Lake Gacamirinda and Nagitamo. The director of the OBPE in Butanyerera province believes that these lakes, if properly protected, would contribute to the development of the province and attract tourists.
Video report in local language (Kirundi)
