Why you should not litter in Akagera – Akagera National Park, home to a wide array of wildlife, including the Big Five, strictly prohibits littering due to the dangers it poses to the animals.
When ingested by any species in the jungle, litter—especially plastic—can cause severe harm or even death.
That is why the park has taken significant steps towards promoting environmental sustainability by banning plastic materials within the park.
The notorious nature of plastic has a detrimental impact on the environment, as it does not decompose naturally and can remain in the soil for hundreds of years.
Once found, animals may assume it is food, causing indigestion that can lead to internal injuries, starvation, and death if not treated in time.
To emphasize the importance of reducing plastic use, visitors and the community at large are given free lessons about the harmful effects of plastics.
This information is also shared through various channels, including brochures and pre-briefings.
The park further advises visitors to carry reusable water bottles and cloth bags, among other eco-friendly alternatives.
Even your booked lodges make it easier for you by stocking biodegradable products to minimize plastic waste.
Strict security is enforced at the park entrance to ensure that nobody enters with prohibited items, and any items found at the gate are instantly confiscated and replaced with eco-friendly alternatives.
Regular patrols are conducted to ensure adherence to these rules, and visitors now appreciate this effort, enjoying a more natural environment.
The absence of plastic litter enhances the appeal of the park and contributes to a more authentic Rwanda safari experience.
If you enter the park with snacks, water, or any edible items, you will be directed to designated areas or points where you can dispose of your rubbish, which is then collected and properly disposed of.
Alternatively, you may be asked to keep your rubbish and take it with you when exiting the park.
Remember, Rwanda is a very clean country and is ranked among the cleanest countries in Africa. That is why you must be careful not to litter or harm the environment.
In 2008, the country implemented a nationwide plastic bag ban, one of the first of its kind in the world. Even when you walk through the streets, you will hardly come across plastic bags.
Make sure to be fully equipped with all the waste-information for Rwanda before setting off to avoid any inconveniences.
Let us keep our environment clean.
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