RWRRI Leads Reforestation on Kivu Lakeshores to Combat Erosion and Support Local Communities

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWRRI) is spearheading an ambitious reforestation project aimed at stabilizing soil, reducing erosion, and improving the livelihoods of residents living along the shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda’s Rutsiro and Rubavu districts.

Through this six-year initiative, RWRRI is mobilizing communities to plant fruit-bearing and native trees that will restore degraded lands and provide long-term benefits for residents and the lake ecosystem.

The project, which directly engages local residents, rewards participants for each tree they successfully grow, fostering ownership and sustainability. In Rubavu, where the project began, locals have expressed renewed hope in preserving the once-erosion-prone slopes of Mount Rubavu, which had previously caused soil loss that damaged houses, roads, and affected nearby communities.

Jean Bosco Dukuzumuremyi, leader of the Turwanye Ibiza (Fight Disasters) group in Rubavu, emphasized the significance of the initiative.

“We are planting a mix of fruit trees and other soil-stabilizing species that will help us retain water and reduce soil erosion on Mount Rubavu,” he said. “This year, we plan to plant 41,900 trees, which will not only prevent soil loss but also provide fruits to enhance food security.”

Francoise Bayavuge, a Rubavu resident with land on Mount Rubavu, highlighted how the newly planted trees are making a difference.

 “These trees will control erosion and prevent soil from sliding into homes and roads, which was a frequent problem in the past. Additionally, the fruit trees will add to our food supply, creating long-term resilience.”

Belange Uwizeye, Program Coordinator of RWRRI, explained that the project’s core mission is to help communities thrive in a safe and sustainable environment while conserving Lake Kivu.

“Over the next five years, we plan to plant about 300,000 trees across Rutsiro and Rubavu sectors bordering Lake Kivu,” Uwizeye stated.

“We are prioritizing areas along rivers with bamboo, providing residents with avocado and guava trees, supplying agroforestry trees like grevillea for farms, and restoring non-cultivated areas with forest trees.”

Uwizeye added that in addition to protecting the lake, reforesting these regions will revive the local ecosystem and help communities mitigate the effects of heavy rains. By focusing on Lake Kivu, RWRRI aims to restore a natural balance that supports both the lake’s health and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

Deogratias Nzabonompa, Vice Mayor for Finance and Economic Development in Rubavu, acknowledged the project’s role in building resilience against erosion.

“This initiative tackles erosion from its roots, rather than just addressing the aftermath. It also boosts fruit production and supports tourism, as we have developed hiking trails and are enhancing infrastructure to attract more visitors,” he said.

In addition to reforestation, RWRRI recently provided residents in Rutsiro’s Musasa, Kigeyo, Mushonyi, Boneza, Kivumu, Gihango, and Mushubati sectors, as well as Rubavu’s Nyundo, Rubavu, Rugerero, and Nyamyumba sectors, with nutrient-rich crops, including iron-fortified sweet potatoes and beans, to improve nutrition and increase agricultural productivity.

With RWRRI’s guidance, communities around Lake Kivu are building a sustainable future that combines environmental conservation with tangible benefits for residents, ensuring that both people and the landscape can thrive for generations to come.

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