KAGERA TAMP DIAGNOSTIC STUDY

RWANDA REPORT

  1. SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE RWANDAN KAGERA WATERSHED
  2. TRANSECT DIAGRAMS
  1. Bugaragara
  2. Cyarubare
  3. Muhazi
  4. Ngenda
  5. Rukara
  6. Shyorongi
  1. PHYSICAL CONTEXT

Location.

The Rwandan Kagera Watershed is along the Equator between 1º04’ and 2º51’ latitude south and 28º53’ and 30º53’ longitude east. From west to east, the Watershed stretches from the high Congo-Nile hillranges (that divide the Congo and the Nile waters) up to the border with Tanzania (Ngara and Karagwe districts). In the North, it borders with Uganda (Kabale and Ntungamo districts), and, in the south, with Burundi (Kirundo and Kayanza Communes).

Area.

Rwanda total area is 26,338 sq km. The Kagera Watershed covers20,550 sq km, i.e. +/- 80% of Rwanda (the remaining 20 % is in the catchment area of the Congo River waters).

Altitude.

The Watershed includes three different altitude areas (detailed description in Annex 1):

  • Low altitudes under 1500 m in the East of Rwandafrom the border with Tanzania up to the Rwandan Central plateaux through the AkageraNational Park, Umutara, Kibungo and south of Kigali Rural provinces.
  • Medium altitudes(1500 m –1900m) that include the Central plateaux in the center of Rwanda; and
  • The area of high altitudes above 1900 m from the Center up to the Congo-Nile high hillranges in the West of the Kagera watershed.

Climate.

The Watershed enjoys a temperate continental tropical climate. Annual temperatures vary between 16° and 17°C in the high altitude regions, between 18° and 21°C in the Central Plateau, and between 20° and 24°C in the lowlands of the East.

Annual rainfalls vary between 700mm and 1400mm in the lowlands of the East, between 1200mm and 1400mm in the Central Plateaux, and between 1400mm and 2000mm in the high altitudes of the West.

The climate is bimodal with short rainy seasons from September to December and long ones from February to June. Short dry seasons run from December to February and long dry seasons from June to September.

However, the area is increasingly experiencing long periods of drought which tend to become cyclical and persistent, particularly in the East nearTanzaniaand in the South Eastnear Burundi. These climatic changes may related not only to the global warming of the planet, but also to the increasing environment degradation (destruction of the vegetation covers, encroachment of wetlands, soil erosions, loss of soil fertility, greenhouse gases emissions…) in the watershed.

Land use.

The Watershed is faced with low availability of lands; and the smallness of the territory does not offer any alternative for the increase of cultivable lands.

Cultivable areasare estimated at 1 108 000 hectares, i.e.80% of the Rwanda’s cultivable areas.The average family farm is only 0.6 hectare (i.e. between 0.25 and 2 ha). This leads to land overexploitation with negative impacts on land resources and environment in general.

Hydrography

The Watershed has an abundant water network that is made of rivers (7,260 ha), wetlands (77,000 ha) and lakes (128,190 ha).

Three main rivers, namely Akanyaru in the South, Nyabarongo in the Center, and Kagitumba in the North drain the numerous tributaries from all over the watershed to the Akagera river that, in turn, leads to Lake Victoria. These rivers and tributaries are closely associated vast marshes and shallow lakes all along their courses.

Vegetation

The vegetation varies with the relief and the distribution of the rainfall. In general, the vegetation coversare from poor to good (30 - 50%) in valleys and on hilltops and very poor (< 30%) on hillsides due to soil erosion.

However, there is vast vegetation diversity from the dense forests in the West to the semi-arid savannain the East through assorted types and varieties of healthy wood and fruit trees in the Central plateaux.

Soils

The pedology is characterized by five types of soils derived 1) from schistose, sandstone and quartzite formations, representing about 50% of total soils; 2) from granite and gneissic formations, representing about 20%;3) from intrusive basic rocks covering more or less 10%;4) from old and recent volcanic materials, 14%; and 5) from alluvial and colluvial soils, a feature of marshes in Rwanda, 6% of the territory.

Soil degradation is from severe in the high hill ranges in the West (mostly due to severe soil erosion) to moderate in Central plateaux and low in the eastern plains of the basin.

Soils productivity is from moderate on the tops of the hills, to poor on hillsides, and relatively good in lowlands and valleys.

Wetlands

The wetlands consist of marshes, lakes and rivers and represent about 15% of the watershed, including 6% of marshes and 9% of open waters. They play several functions (floods and droughts control, stabilization of the availability of the underground water, flora and fauna habitats and biological diversity reservoirs).

Forests

The watershed includes varying ecosystems from natural mountain forests (220,971 ha), to gallery forests and wooded savanna (25,000 ha) and planted forests (306,663 ha), MINITERE 2001.

Les forêts naturelles sont constituées par le Parc National des Volcans (12.000 ha), le Parc National de Nyungwe (92.400 ha), les reliques de forêt de Gishwati (600 ha ) et Mukura (1200 ha) en 2001 selon le même rapport. Le Parc des Volcans et le Parc National de Nyungwe constituent des aires protégées.

On trouve à l’Est du pays des formations végétales naturelles composées par le Parc national de l’Akagera (108.500 ha) qui est une aire protégée et des reliques de forêts arbustives et de forêts galeries en disparition et remplacement par les cultures, bananeraies et les pâturages. Les boisements sont peu nombreux.

Protected areas and natural reserves (239,700 ha)

Rwanda’s protected areas consist of the Nyungwe (92,400 ha), the Volcanoes (12,000 ha) and the Akagera (108,500) National Parks; plus the natural reserves of the Mukura (1,200 ha), Gishwati(600 ha) and other small forests, and the savanna of the east.

It is worth mentioning the Nyungwe natural forest is one of the Akagera’s main water sources. It contributes up to 60% of the river’s water, making it the main source of the River Nile.

The eastern parts of the VolcanoesNational Park border with Uganda and is characterized by a high altitude alpino-african vegetation, a heavy rainfall and cool temperatures. The Park is the sanctuary of mountain gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Beringei) in addition to other endemic and CITES internationally protected species.

However, these forests are undergoing an alarming degradation as follows:

Type de forêts naturelles / 1960 / 2000
Forêts naturelles de haute altitude / Ha / Ha
Parc des Volcans / 12.000
Nyugwe et Cyamudongo / 114.000 / 92.400
Gishwati / 28.000 / 600
Mukura / 3.000 / 1.200
Total / 179.000 / 106.200
Forêts naturelles de l’Est
Parc de l’Akagera / 241.000 / 108.500
Domaine de chasse / 64.000 / 0
Forêts galeries et savanes de l’Est / 150.000 / 25.000
Total / 455.000 / 133.500
Grand total / 634.00 / 239.700

Most of these forests were destroyed during and after the 1990 – 1994 war and genocide by internally displaced people and by returnees who needed farms and timber for the reconstruction of the shelters. Also, most of the gallery forests in talwegs are disappearing and replaced by crops, especially banana.

Forestation

Planted forests started from 1920 and consist mainly of Eucalyptus, but agroforestry species such as Grevillea, cedrella, calliandra have been increasingly gaining ground. Total planted forests were estimated at 306,663 ha in 2001.There was a massive tree cutting and destruction of forests by internally displaced people during and after the 1990-94 war and genocide.

Agro-ecosystems

Agro-pastoral spaces cover more than 70% of the country. All the arable land is used for agriculture and animal husbandry.

In the Watershed, there are crops of different species and varieties. There are many seasonal crops (sorghum, maize, beans, sweet and irish potatoes, assorted vegetables...) and perennial crops (mainly banana, cassava, mangoes, avocadoes, coffee and tea).Local food crops species are still found but most of the cultivated species and varieties are of the foreign origins.

Also for the domestic animals (mainly cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, pork …), the husbandry is mostly extensive and traditional, and is carried out at the family level. However, the raising of exotic breeds for both cattle and goats is in increase.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is rich and varied. The Watershed hosts several species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods, some of which appear on the list of the internationally protected species by the Washington Convention commonly known as CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species). It also includes a range of endemic and rare species used in traditional medicine.

Energy resources

Energy needs in Rwanda are met from several sources of varying importance (fuel wood, charcoal, timber and crop residues, electricity, solar, etc). However, biomass is the principal source of energy (94% of the national uses)in domestic cooking and cottage industries.

Environment

Most environment issues are deforestation, soil exhaustion and erosion, marshlands destruction, overgrazing, bushfires, poaching …

International agreements

Rwanda is Party to the Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection conventions

  1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT

Population.

The Rwandese population was 8 162 715 inhabitants(as per the 2002 census); and is expected to grow from 15 million in 2020 to 20 million in 2030.

The population in the watershed could be estimated at 6,500,000 people (i.e. 80% of the Rwanda population); and the demographic growth rate was estimated at 3 % per year at that time.

The average population density was among the highest in Africa, i.e.more or less 310 inhabitants per sq km; and, in some areas, could even reach more than 1000 inhabitants per sq km (i.e. in Ruhengeri and Butare provinces).

Economy.

Rwanda is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. The average annual income per capita is of only US$ 210. More than 60% of the population were below the poverty line in 2001.

Agriculture is the main source of income and the population’s means of support. Subsistence crops occupy 92% of cultivated areas. Banana is far the dominant crop with 28% of the total cultivated areas, followed by beans (21%), sorghum (10%), sweet potato (12%) and cassava (8%). Export crops (coffee, tea) come well after, with respectively 6 % and 2 % of the areas. However, it is estimated that 11% of the Rwandan population are landless.

In the rural milieu, cash incomes derive from the sale of the crops and domestic animals and from paid labor. It is estimated that 66% of the agriculture productions are for direct family consumption while the remaining 37% is sold for cash income.

The total Rwanda GDP was estimated at US$1,8 billion in 2001; and the GDP composition per sector is Agriculture (41%), Industry (21%), services (38%).

Health and literacy

The HIV/AIDS prevalence was 5.1% (1 % in rural and 13 % in urban milieus) and life expectancy was 44 years in 2001. The literacy rate was 64%.

  1. FIELD FINDINGS ON ASSETS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE KAGERA TAMP

The field diagnosis identified a number of assets favorable to the implementation of the Kagera TAMP as follows:

Physical assets:

  • Climatic conditions favourable for agriculture and environmental development (moderate temperatures,good rainfalls ….).
  • Good soils favourable to many species and varieties of crops in most of the watershed regions;
  • A diversity of agro-bioclimatic areas enabling diversification of agriculture as well as existence of two agricultural seasons A and B and one agricultural season C during the long dry season in marshes and dips;
  • A dense and well-stocked hydrographical network (many rivers, lakes and marshlands…)

Human assets

  • High concern of local populations about the increasing food insecurity due to increasing land and other natural resources degradation and declining agricultural productivities;
  • Farmers and local authorities’ commitment to active support to any intervention aiming at the reversal of the agriculture and environment degradation;
  • Abundance of active agricultural manpower (87% of the population); etc

Structural assets

  • Existence of policies, laws and other public regulations favourable to the implementation of sustainable agriculture and environment interventions
  • The government of Rwanda priority support to the agriculture and environment initiatives.
  • Decentralisation of the planning and decision making responsibility and power at the district and community levels,
  • Existence of many donors ready to assist the development of the agriculture and environment conservation sectors.

  1. FIELD FINDINGS ON PROBLEMS, ROOT CAUSES AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
  1. ON LAND.

Land Problems / Root causes / Recommended solutions
Insecure land tenure /
  • Until recently, the land was exclusive property of the State.
/
  • Speed up the implementation of the new
  • Land Act (2005) that confers full rights to theoccupants.

Excessive land fragmentation /
  • High population pressure
  • Dispersed settlements within the small family farms
  • Traditional subdivision and distribution of the family farms among children and grand children on a continuous pattern
/
  • Enhancement of the Land Act that recommends consolidation of the family farms and prohibits further fragmentation
  • Enhancement of the new Settlement Policy that recommends group settlements in villages “imidugudu” out of the farming farms.

Unsustainable agriculture and environment interventions /
  • Government and NGOs interventions are still too sectoral, no much coordination nor complemetarity.
/
  • Promote “integrated” and “participatory”natural resources use and managementplanning approach at the district and community levels.

Declining land productivity /
  • Destruction of vegetation cover
  • Soil erosion
  • Overexploitation
  • Poor recycling of organic matters
/
  • Reforestation of degraded or treatened sites with economic and environmental suitable species
  • Avoid overgrazing of the pastures
  • Prohibition of bush fires
  • Establishment of soiland water conservation structures (fanya juu, terracing …)
  • Promotion of conservation agriculture practices (low tillage, soil cover crops, agroforestry …)
  • Production and use of farm manure, organic composts and crop residues

Cultivation of critical/marginal fragile sites /
  • Population pressure and survival strategy through cultivation of new lands
/
  • Mise en defens and protection of such fragile sites
  • Introduction of community managed land use and management plans approach.

Poor soil fertility /
  • Poor soil and water conservation practices
/
  • Le creusement des fossés anti-érosifs et la stabilisation de leurs talus par la plantation des arbustes/herbes fixatrices
  • La rehabilitation de ceux detruits
  • Le terrassement radical
  • La plantation des haies vives sur courbes de niveau,
  • Cultures en couloir et l’ empocagement
  • L’agroforesterie et cultures ameliorantes
  • L’application des fumures organiques et
  • Le paillage
  • La mise en défens et protection des sites fragiles degrades
  • Le reboisement en général et l’agroforesterie en particulier,
  • La bonne gestion des pâturages,
  • La lutte contre les feux des brousses.

  1. ON CROPS

Crop problems / Root causes / Recommended solutions
Disappearance of certain good and resistant traditional crops’ varieties (banana, cassava, trees etc.) /
  • Introduction of the more productive but also more vulnerable varieties (sensitive to pests, diseases, droughts etc.)
/
  • Reintroduction of the economically profitable traditional varieties
  • Research institutes to produces more resistant cross breeds

Poor technical assistance to farmers by the extension services /
  • Insufficient extension staff at the district level and inadequate extension services
/
  • Institutional support to the districts (staffing, training, means of transport etc)
  • Capacity building of farmers associations and cooperatives

Inadequate quantities and poor quality of the planting materials /
  • Poor access to improved seeds and other planting materials
/
  • Production of good quality planting materials through farmers’ associations and on farm trials and farmers field schools

  1. ON FORESTS AND AGRO-FORESTRY

Problems / Root causes / Recommended solutions
Generalized deficit of wood for fuel and timber /
  • Insufficient forests and woodlots as compared to the high density of the population
  • Wood (logs and shrubs, charcoal …) is almost the only source of the domestic energy in Rwanda (99% of the total used energy)
/
  • Increase tree plantation programs
  • Develop and use other alternative sources of energy (solar, biogas, recovery of domestic wastes etc.)

Many destroyed forests (+/- 60% lost between 1960 and 2000) /
  • Population pressure
  • Displaced people during 1990 -94 war and genocide
  • Massive return of refugees and need of farms and wood in 1994 – 96
  • Diverging interests between neighboring populations and protected areas (cultivation, trees for constructions and fire wood, hunting, grazing …)
/
  • Increase community tree planting campaigns
  • Enforcement of the laws protecting trees, forests and national parks.
  • Improved environmental education and friendly community tourism.

Many eroded and degraded forests. /
  • Poor maintenance and harvesting practices.
  • Loss of undercover and consequent soil erosion.
/
  • Rehabilitate and protect the eroded sites.
  • Train the owners in proper forests management practices

Poor management of the forests /
  • Poor forest management skills
  • Poor technical assistance to farmers
/
  • Institutional support to the districts (staffing, training etc)
  • Establishment of district forests plantation and management plans

Deforestation /
  • Lack of alternative sources of domestic energy
  • Loose application of the Forests Protection Act (1988)
/
  • Production and use of energy saving cooking stoves
  • Rehabilitation and protection of old woodlots
  • Plantation of new sites
  • Protection of natural/gallery forests
  • Contracts with private cooperative for the management of the district woodlots
  • Actualization and enforcement of the 1988 Forest Act

High mortality rate of trees and seedlings /
  • Termites
  • Droughts
  • Destruction by wandering animals
/
  • Timely planting and good maintenance of the seedlings
  • Plantation of more resistant species, especially the traditional species
  • Biologic control of the termites (use of organic pesticides)
  • Protection against animals

Too many (and dangerous) eucalyptus trees. /
  • Liked by farmers because of it is a fast growing tree and highly productive,
  • But, also, lack of awareness about the dangers of thetree (high water consumption and impoverishment of the land).
/
  • A study on the impact of the many eucalyptus plantations on the Rwandan environment degradation and climate shall be conducted and farmers advised accordingly.
  • . Stop further planting of the eucalyptus trees.
  • . Replace current old woodlots by more
  • environmental conservation species.