Ecosystem Restoration in Rwanda

As the protection and management of the environment is one of the pillars of Rwanda's Vision 2020, the "country of a thousand hills" has undertaken many initiatives to protect ecosystems for income generation and good governance. Several of these projects, including the initiative to preserve the Rwandan mountain gorilla and wetland restoration efforts in the Nyabarongo-Akagera network and Rugezi, are already beginning to reap environmental, economic, and employment benefits.

Source: UNEP (2011) Green Economy . Advisory Services.

Rwanda has helped to restore the population of the critically endangered species, the Gorilla beringei graueri, to a slight increase in the Virungas National Park. In addition to the ecological benefits of preserving a threatened species, this scheme to protect the Rwandan mountain gorilla is also generating substantial revenues from tourism. The country?s booming tourism industry, which now accounts for the biggest share of national GDP, is driven primarily by the flagship gorilla. After a decline in tourism in the 1990s, gorilla visitation has since increased from less than 1200 tourists in 2000 to a record of 7417 visitors in 2004. With visitors paying US $375 each to see the gorillas, these tourists have generated over $3 million in revenue every year since 2005. This has also contributed to the creation of many new jobs to cope with the management and maintenance of the National Park and its related touristic activities.
Rwanda?s wetland restoration efforts are another milestone in rebuilding the country?s natural capital. The wetlands in Rwanda cover a total area of 165,000 hectares, thereby comprising about 7 per cent of the country?s total surface area. The marshy lakeside Akanyaru complex of Nyabarongo and Akagera National Park are hot spots for biodiversity and are especially rich in bird species. The Association for the Conservation of Nature in Rwanda is combating the intensive illegal farming along the Nyabarongo River by eliminating agricultural crops and training the local community in the production of high-quality products made from materials harvested sustainably from the wetland, such as papyrus and pennisetum. This conservation programme has produced not only environmental but also economic benefits. For example, previously, basket weavers manufactured low-quality products and sold them for $2 to $3. After receiving training and gaining access to new markets, these same individuals can now sell higher-quality woven baskets for $10.