By Bisola Adeyemo
Efforts to save Burundi Lakes have yielded enormous fishing production which creates jobs and contributes to community development.
Recall that few years ago, the six lakes in the northern region of Burundi, particularly Kirundo province, was threatened by desertification, africanews reports.
Albert Hatungimana, Governor of Kirundo started that insuring the lake’s buffer zone, has helped fishing production as well as contributing to the community growth.
“There is the project to protect the lakes by separating the buffer zone from the cultivable part. This has increased the production of fish because they find food, where they multiply. This increase has contributed not only to the feeding of this population but also to community development. Because this community collects a lot of taxes, about two million FBU per week in fish marketing taxes.
A fisherman on Lake Rweru, Pascal Nkurunziza explained how well production has increased since enhancement creation begun.
“Before the protection of the lake, production was low. Now it is increasing. The administrator and the governor have raised awareness to protect this lake, and production is increasing.
“With this increase in production, investors have created work on the lake. This provides a living for families.” he added
Another fisherman, Daniel Minani explained how beneficial fishing has been to his livelihood.
“Fishing is our job. Our bosses give us work. That’s what makes us live. We spend days on the lake, and when we come back, they pay us money.