By Virunga programs
The Virunga massif is known as a tourism hub in the wider east
and central Africa region. This is where you are going to see the famous
mountain gorillas and other plant and wildlife species. However, a youth in
Goma, DRC is making a difference in the Goma town by making paper bags from
waste papers to plant trees and vegetables.
PARUKU LUKUSA says the
idea to make paper bags for tree planting trees was born when he was in primary
school in Tyazo primary school in Goma. He says he saw how papers were being
burned, contributing to environmental pollution. It was then that he says he
started making papers to plant trees and from that he never looked back.
He says after finishing high school, he decided to start a
nursery project and began collecting waste papers from different organizations
and institutions in Goma town.
PALUKU says collecting
the papers from these organisations to use them to plant trees has made a
difference on how some of these organisations and institutions treat waste
papers since instead of burning them; they are now resourcefully turning them
into another aspect of environmental conservation.
“We visit different organisations and institutions and convince
them to give us the papers that we use in the nursery. Most of the people are
always excited about the project since they see this as one ways to conserve
the environment through planting of the trees,” says PALUKU.
He adds that he approached the Virunga Community Programs, a
nonprofit organization based in Goma and told them about the idea and the
organization has also helped him facilitate him on the project.
He adds that the biodegradable bags have superiority over
polythene ones since they also help in easing seedlings transition from nursery
to farms.
According to an article appearing the journal Small-scale
forestry, upon transplanting, tree seedlings
grown in biodegradable bags established with more vigour. The authors note,
however, that the adoption of biodegradable seedling bags is not a
straightforward proposition for small-scale tree nursery operators in many
African countries.
PALUKU confirms that
apart from helping conserve environment, he has made a fortune from planting
trees and vegetable since he always has ready market in Goma town where his
vegetables are always in great demand.
He says that plastic bags are around everywhere in Goma streets
which is quite an eyesore and hopes that the use of alternative biodegradable
paper bags can help reduce environmental pollution, now that many African
countries are banning the use of plastic bags.
PALUKU says the Virunga Community Program has employed 10 youths
and women in the project who not only help in collection of the papers from
institutions and organizations but also help him to plant the trees and vegetables
and sell them.
“But most importantly, the project not only helps in
environmental protection but also help many families around the parks that are
now able to feed their families and pay for their school fees and health
insurance,” says PALUKU.
He adds that some of the youth they have employed were poachers
but now that they have something to do, they have stopped their excursions to
the forests and protected areas. This, he adds, has also helped the Virunga
Community Programs in general promote its conservation programs.
He, however, says the nascent project is facing some few
challenges like transporting the papers to the project site, and also
convincing some organizations to donate them the papers since some of them
think they are using the papers for profit purposes.
MUYIHEMERA KASEREKA BAY, a member of Virunga Community Programs
says the project has contributed to enlightening many families in Goma about
gardening and nutrition.
“We facilitate the youth and women in Goma to establish green
gardens in their homes. We have also trained them about modern farming methods
and they are now able to grow abundant vegetables in their small farms,” says
KASEREKA .
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