Introduction

Rwanda’s population growth has put pressure on the limited natural resources such as water, land and forests which do not match with high demand of the population needs. This has led to misuse and over exploitation natural resources which in turn leads to environmental degradation. This has far- reaching consequences in terms of resources spent on reforestation and all efforts aimed at restoring the lost value of the environment.

Currently in Rwanda, a total area of 165,000 hectares is covered by wetlands and of these; 92,000 hectares are used for agriculture. This is mainly because 90% of the country’s population is still engaged in agricultural activities. People practice cultivation of various crops such as rice, yams, vegetables, sugar canes among others.

Causes of wetland degradation

Wetlands degradation in Rwanda is closely linked to development in urban centers countrywide. Many construction activities being carried out require inputs from wetlands such bricks and sand, a factor that has led to over exploitation of the resource.

High demand for brick making coupled with sand-mining due to current development construction in the country has led to misuse of wetlands in the country. Such commercial gains are practiced by people to make ends meet regardless of environmental degradation

Location of industries within the wetlands such as Gikondo industrial area, Utexrwa greatly affects the normal functioning of the resource to clean waste- water and siltation of streams.

Other related problems

The booming industry of hand crafts currently in the country could be a long-term environmental challenge as most raw materials used for making final products such as Agaseke, mats and other products are exploited from the wetlands.

Most garages within Kigali City are operating near wetlands and this has a negative impact delivered from hazardous oils and other unwanted metals that find their way in the wetlands. The activity is mainly around Nyabarongo wetland.

The situation of poor garbage disposal is a threat to wetlands though with introduction of skips in Kigali city, sanitation seems to have improved. Various women associations now dealing with garbage collection have established a dumpsite which processes garbage into fertilizers and household cooking materials. To them garbage is now a profit making activity.

Lack of coordination between the ministry of Environment and urban planning authorities has led to degradation of various wetlands in and around the city. To this effect, concerned authorities have established clear linkage to enable smooth running of policies regarding wetland conservation in the country.

Consequences of wetland misuse

As a result of high demand for construction materials, brick-making and sand-mining within the wetlands are inevitable. This results into creation of pits which accumulate stagnant water for habitats of diseases carrying vectors like mosquitoes and snails hence environmental health problems occur.

The impact of massive reclamation of water leads to reduction of number of permanent streams and disappearance of permanent springs leading to low ground water levels in the wells.

Various industries within the city is due to poor urban planning leads to discharge of very toxic chemical in wetlands which pose a big threat to the biodiversity that are vital to the environment.

The most out standing threats of wetlands stability are agriculture, industrial pollution, drainage activities and over-harvesting of wetland resources.

Strategies to conserve wetlands

Conservation of wetlands in Rwanda is vital to protect and promote wetlands normal functions. To this effect, four major complex wetlands in Rwanda have been considered to be critical ecosystems thus an integration program management of such wetlands is a priority. These include;

• Kamiranzovu wetland in Cyangugu province
• Rwerumugesera wetland in Kibungo province
• Rugeziruhondo wetland shared by Ruhengeri and Byumba provinces.
• Akagera wetland shared by Kibungo and Umutara provinces.

The implementation of integrating these critical ecosystem wetlands of the country will kick off after negotiations between the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank.

Integration of Wetland conservation plans

The Convention implementation office has recently formulated a National Wetland Conservation Program for 2002-2030 jointly working with the National Commission for Development and Reform, the Ministries of finance, Education Scientific Research and Technology, Environment, lands, water and natural resources and Agriculture.

Engaging various Ministries in wetland conservation will ensure a holistic approach of the issue at hand. All authorities concerned will have proper coordination of activities concerning wetland management, a factor which leads to efficiency implementation of policies.

Laws and policies to avoid misuse of wetlands in Rwanda

To avoid further exploitation of the resources, Rwandan Government has established rules governing wetlands in the country. This is done by subjecting any acts concerned with water and its resources like watering plants, the use of swamps to prior environmental impact assessment which will be examined and approved by Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) or any person given a written authorization by REMA.

Rwanda in collaboration with Ramsar Convention Secretariat also held a workshop as part of the environmental week with the theme “Conservation and management of wetlands of Rwanda.” The objective of this was to explore issues related to the conservation of wetlands in Rwanda after the ratification of the convention. Ramsar Convention Secretariat.

Major Highlights of Environmental Concerns during the month of June 2005

Rwanda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the international environment day which usually falls on 5th June annually. The international theme for this year was “Green Cities.” The Rwandan communities were mainly engaged in tree planting exercise near roads and industries as way of fighting air pollution in the country.

Keeping cities clean and the entire planet green centered around the theme although environmental challenges have continued to occur leading to land degradation as a result of floods, soil erosion, and deforestation among others.

The world environmental day coincided with an environmental week in Rwanda which called for tree planting exercise around river Nyabarongo to prevent soil erosion and siltation during rainy season. Rwanda’s world refugee day dedicated to environmental protection

During the celebration to mark the world refugee day in Rwanda, tree planting exercise was carried out as a contribution to environmental protection strategy in the country. UNHCR through its environmental program has equally contributed a lot in this activity.

UNHCR`S contribution to environmental challenges

UNHCR`S environmental program in Rwanda invested 215,000 $ between 2002 and 2004 focusing on agro-forested, domestic energy conservation and capacity building producing Over 10 million seedlings. The seedlings are distributed among people while others are planted along the roads as well as communal lands. At National level, 4.000 ha of land have been reforested.

This move is due to presence of 50,000 refugees and influx of 3.1 million returnees within the period of 11 years. Such high population has increased pressure on limited natural resources resulting from high demand of fire wood, shelter and agricultural land. Planted trees include eucalyptus, pine, lemon trees and acacia.

International day for biodiversity

Rwanda embarked on the theme “Biodiversity; life insurance for our changing world” during the 12th anniversary of the international day for biodiversity this year.

According to the Rwanda Environmental Conservation Act, biodiversity is a variety of living creatures such as man, animals and plants, landforms, water bodies, atmosphere and their ecosystem.

Causes of biodiversity destruction in Rwanda

The major causes of biodiversity destruction are poor methods of farming systems which result to soil erosion, loss of mainland and soil fertility. This in return leads to low agricultural yields hence farmers become agents and victims of environmental degradation.

The natural resource base in Rwanda such as land, wildlife and water are vital sources of domestic and national income. Such provide the basis for farming, fishing, energy production and tourism.

However, these resources have been degraded due to high demand for agricultural land and home energy use resulting from high population growth and lack of effective policies to preserve biodiversity. Hence Environmental degradation has been and will remain a major cause of low agriculture production unless tangible solutions are formulated.

It was recommended that conservation of forests, wetlands, landscapes and farmlands is only way to harmonize people’s survival without causing any harm to each other. Rules to safeguard Biodiversity in Rwanda

The introduction, importation and exportation of any animal or plant of any specie in Rwanda are governed special rules. Wild animals and plants are governed by permission issued by competent authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in endangered species of wild Fauna and flora.

Keeping of wild animals or products is subjected to permission granted by competent authorities.

Hawking, sale, exchange and of wild animal require special permission issued by Competent authorities.

References

Organic Law determining the Modalities of Protection, Conservation and Promotion of Environment (2005), the official Gazzete of Republic of Rwanda.

Ramsar Convention recommendations on Wetlands (2004), the official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.

The 1999 World Report on Policy framework for renewal of Rwanda natural resources.

National Environment Management Authority (2001), The State of environment report for Uganda.

The Ministry of local Government, Good Governance, Community Development and Social affairs.

The Ministry of Environment, Lands, Natural Resources and Mines.