Implementation of the Mukura forest reserve management plan, Rwanda

The project area is Mukura forest reserve (1600 ha) and its surroundings (3400 ha). Mukura is composed of primary and secondary forest. Some 50% of the forest is cleared since it was gazetted as forest reserve. Mukura forest is important for water regulation and erosion control. Previous surveys of ARECO/WCS have found various endemic species of animals and plants in the Mukura forest. All mammals are (at least locally) endangered due to hunting and birds are threatened due to swamp habitat loss The surrounding of Mukura forest is the most populated area in the province, with some 50.000 inhabitants and density of 400 inhabitantants/km2. It is one of the poorest regions of Rwanda with 90% of the population living below the poverty line. . 90% of the population depends on agriculture and there is a shortage of agricultural land, with biannual food shortage periods. Access to schooling and medical care is limited due to poverty. The main threats to the forest are encroachment due to agro-land shortage and fire wood collection. Eucalyptus plantations and agriculture have been observed inside the forest. Hunting resulted in the loss of large mammals. All economic/extractive activities inside the reserve are officially prohibited ARECO’s previous work in the reserve resulted in elaboration of a management plan and contacts with local stakeholders. The current project aims to carry out some of the suggested activities of the management plan and to engage communities, local administration in management of the reserve Suggested activities: Awareness raining and validation management plan with local communities Creation of management & monitoring structures for the reserve with participation of local communities and administration. Create a stone barrier along 23 km to the reserve and planting bamboo in buffer zone Removing eucalyptus from reserve and planting indigenous trees in their place Beekeeping development and honey commercialisation The project output will be improved livelihoods of local communities (honey production, bamboo cultivation), reduction of threats (encroachment) and improved condition of reserve (eucalyptus removal and forest restoration).

The project area is Mukura forest reserve (1600 ha) and its surroundings (3400 ha) in Rwanda. Mukura is composed of primary and secondary forest. Some 50% of the forest is cleared since it was gazetted as forest reserve, to allow resettlement of displaced people. Mukura forest is important for water regulation, erosion control and biodiversity, inhabiting various endemic species of animals and plants. The main threats to the forest are encroachment and fire wood collection. Eucalyptus plantations and agriculture have been observed inside the forest. ARECO’s previous work in the reserve resulted in a management plan and signing of MoUs with stakeholders. The current project aims to carry out some of the suggested activities of the management plan. The project starts with a workshop for validation of the action plan of the management plan by all. Several activities will serve to improve awareness on the importance of the forest for the conservation of biodiversity, water sources and for honey production. Activities include poster production and educational activities in schools. Several activities will target reducing threats (encroachment, wood collection) from Mukura forest and rehabilitation of degraded areas. The border of the reserve will be rehabilitated along 23 km, using marking stones. To assure the barrier is known and accepted, this activity will be carried out with participation of all stakeholders. 45 ha of Eucalyptus were planted in the past, in efforts to reforest Mukura. The eucalyptus will now be removed and sold, and the area will be replanted with seedling of indigenous trees. Seedlings will be collected in the forest, reared in a nursery and than replanted in the area where Eucalyptus will be removed. Local youth, benefiting from honey production activities, will monitor and care for the planted trees, with supervision of district technicians experienced in this technique. Youth will be trained in modern honey production techniques and will be provided with the necessary materials. ARDI, an organisations specialised in honey, has signed a MoU with ARECO to train and monitor the participants and to buy the produced honey. It is expected that 12.000 kg of honey will be produced. Generated income will be managed by the groups, which will form legally recognised cooperative and open bank accounts. A management committee for Mukura will be established, with regularly meetings and in charge of resolving conflicts on the management of the forest. 8 forest wardens will be recruited, in charge of monitoring the forest, and will probably receive benefits (health insurance) from district authority in return for their work. This sort of compensation for public services is commonly given by district authorities. A survey will be carried out at the start and end of the project to verify if these activities indeed resulted in reduced pressure on the forest, reduced poverty and improved awareness.