Video outlines the situation and calls for the law to be respected
Burundi – In nine Collines* in the municipality of Bubanza – in northwestern Burundi – we are working on the protection and responsible use of water resources. Here, the exploitation of sand and stone for use in construction is severely affecting the Kitenge River and the surrounding fields. The organisations Adisco, Avedec, OAP and Greening Burundi are joining forces to improve the situation for residents and nature.
With this project in Bubanza, Join For Water wants to ensure a sufficient quantity and quality of water for the people who live in the area. We do so by:
- promoting practices that improve socio-ecological resilience, such as attention to biodiversity and healthy soil;
- sustainable and restorative use of natural resources;
- changing the mentality regarding the use of ecosystem services such as water.
More green hills
Our partner Adisco has made a short film that outlines the situation, the challenges and solutions and lets residents have their say. The film mainly aims to encourage all parties involved – governments, companies, local organisations – to better comply with existing rules and regulations. This is the only way to limit the negative impact of the work on nature and residents.
Libère Bukobero (left) is secretary-general of Adisco and explains:
“With Adisco vzw we strive for more green, solidary and prosperous hills. Adisco wants to contribute to a national social movement that realises its own development and exerts influence on policy in favour of the lower strata of the population.
Specifically for this project to protect and conserve our water resources, we are striving first to gain a deeper and broader knowledge. In the field, we are working on agro-ecological practices that will not further degrade water resources.”
Christophe Bigirimana (right) is project coordinator for Adisco Bubanza:
“We have mapped out the most vulnerable zones when it comes to water. They are the ones who suffer the most from the negative consequences of mining activities. Workers dig for sand, stones and minerals in the rivers. This affects the river and its banks and can cause more erosion in a region that is already very susceptible to it. All of this pollutes the water, including drinking water. Furthermore, the mining sites are not being restored, causing more and more farmland to disappear.”
Restore the damaged fields
Residents of the Collines testify that they no longer have enough farmland due to mining activities and that the river and excavation works are destroying the fields. It is often unclear who commissioned the works or which organisation is behind them. Then it is also difficult to hold anyone accountable when it comes to restoring the site.
Christophe: “We are advocating for existing regulations to be respected. The locations that are exploited for sand or mineral extraction must be restored. We hope that everyone is aware of this and applies the law.”
This advocacy – drawing attention to a situation and pleading for a different approach – with all organisations, governments, residents, etc. involved in Join For Water’s activities is a crucial part of every project.
* A Colline is an administrative division of the 3rd level.
Read more on Adisco, Avedec, OAP en Greening Burundi.
