Eugene RURANGWAInternational Gorilla Conservation Programme, Rwanda

erurangwar@igcp.org

Washington DC, March 24-27, 2014

ATTRACTING RESPONSIBLE LAND-BASED INVESTMENT FOR LOCAL BENEFITS AND COMMON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: A PILOT PROJECT OF HABITAT MAXIMIZATION AND REVENUE SHARING AROUND VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK IN RWANDA

FACTS ABOUT VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

1. The most renowned ecosystem in Africa with its rich biodiversity

2. Created in 1925 with initial 340 km2

3. Have lost 180 km2 from 1925 to 2008

4. Sanctuary of the well renowned mountain gorillas

5. Located in one of the most densely populated parts of Africa (between 400 and 1000 inhabitants per km2 )

6. First tourism destination and important economic asset for Rwanda amidst its small size (160 km2)

7. Probably the most protected area in Africa

The satellite view of the Virunga Massif

Map of the Virunga-Bwindi Massif

CHALLENGES/THREATS FACING VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

• Poverty, high population density

• High population pressure on scarce resources

• Agricultural and livestock encroachment on the park

• Poaching

• Resource extraction (fire wood, bamboo)

• Large-scale habitat conversion

• Lack of income diversity (relying on Agriculture as main

source of income)

• Inappropriate land use

• Land degradation, low soil fertility and productivity/food shortage

• Wild animal-human conflicts: crop raiding

Park Encroachment/ Grazing

Park Encroachment/Farming

Proposed Habitat Maximization/Park Extension

• Creation of a green zone area of 40 km2 using individual farm land as Natural or physical capital asset.

• Encouraging and using small holder farmers as shareholders in a Community- Private and Public Partnership.

• Land consolidation using new buffer zone boundary as reference.

• Smallholder farmers who live in Cells adjacent to the Park and who have already got their land certificates.

New Proposed Buffer Zone Boundary

Initial sensitization of small holder farmers at Cells level

IGCP Mission:

To conserve Mountain Gorillas and their habitat through partnering with key stakeholders while significantly contributing to sustainable livelihood development.

27 Cells to be selected

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

To maintain the integrity of the natural environment of the forest ecosystem while guaranteeing a sustainable system for livelihoods development and poverty alleviation for the local population.

STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED

• Surveying, delimitation and mapping of the area using ortho-photos ;

• Identification and selection of all smallholder farmers in Cells adjacent to the Park;

• Individual plot identification and land reassessment;

• land consolidation and mapping;• Identification and selection of

private investor's partner;

STEPS ( Cntd)

• Preparation of a business plan;• Preparation of the joint venture

arrangements;• Preparation of contracts/agreements

between Rwanda Development Board, the Private Investor and Community Land Owners;

• Starting the project implementation.

Ortho-photo map of the Area

EXPECTED RESULTS

•Increased revenue and revenue sharing from the Mountain Gorillas tourism,•The poverty of smallholders around the Park alleviated•The pressure and encroachment on the Park reduced•Land use around the Park optimized •Increased alternative source of income•The resilience to climate change enhanced

CONCLUSION - A unique land-based investment model for small holder farmers benefits that contributes to avoid land grabbing,

- It maximizes gains and minimizes the risks associated with large-scale land acquisitions.

- It allows to ensure that the expected equitable economic growth occurs while community livelihoods are protected and enhanced and environmental negative impacts minimized.

- Fits well in the recommendations on investments of the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and other Natural Resources in the Context of National Food Security,

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THANK YOU!