Conserve Environment, Says Rugunda

Environment minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda yesterday urged African countries to devise ways of addressing Africa’s major environmental problems, reports Gerald Tenywa.Rugunda said this would ensure that development takes place without harm to nature, which provides the resources needed for human survival. “Africa is faced with the challenge of improving environmental conditions in order to achieve economic growth and poverty eradication,’’ he said. Rugunda was speaking at the opening of the five-day African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) at the International Conference Centre in Kampala. AMCEN, an inter-governmental institution to give guidance in key political events related to environmental agreements, has attracted over 30 countries. Rugunda said Africa is afflicted by land degradation, drought, desertification, adverse climatic changes, pollution, wetland destruction, deforestation, loss of bio-diversity and species.Ends