Residents living near Nyungwe National Park in Rangiro Sector, Nyamasheke District, say they are suffering increasing losses as wild animals leave the park and destroy crops, threatening food security and household incomes.
The problem is particularly affecting residents of Banda and Gakenke cells, who say that animals such as baboons frequently raid farms at night and in the early morning.
Many residents depend on agriculture as their primary source of income and food, with harvest proceeds often used to pay school fees and meet other household needs.
Innocent Nkundimana, a resident of the area, said he invested heavily in farming but lost nearly all his crops before harvest.
“I planted maize and sugarcane, but I harvested nothing because baboons and porcupines destroyed the crops before they matured. When someone farms, they expect a harvest that will support their family and improve their livelihood,” he said.
According to Nkundimana, repeated crop losses have discouraged some residents from farming, as they no longer feel confident that their efforts will yield results.
Julie Bayavuge said the destruction of crops has left some families struggling to feed themselves.
“There are times when we face food shortages despite having cultivated crops. The animals destroy them before harvest, making life very difficult for us,” she said.
Bayavuge explained that porcupines mainly damage sweet potatoes and beans, while baboons target sugarcane, banana plantations, and other crops.
She added that the problem extends beyond agriculture, affecting children’s education as some students fear passing near the forest when travelling to and from school.
Jean Claude Muteta, Executive Secretary of Rangiro Sector, said local authorities and park management have engaged residents in discussions aimed at finding a long-term solution.
“We are planning to encourage the cultivation of buffer-zone crops, such as tea, in areas most affected by wildlife. Following discussions with park authorities, residents expressed support for this approach,” he said.
Protais Niyigaba, Director of Nyungwe National Park, said fencing the park is not a practical solution because many wild animals can cross or bypass barriers.
“There must be close cooperation between park authorities and local communities to address this challenge because there is no fence that can completely prevent these animals from crossing,” he said.
Niyigaba added that compensation mechanisms are available for residents whose crops are damaged by wildlife.
While Nyungwe National Park remains an important contributor to environmental conservation and Rwanda’s tourism economy, residents living along its boundaries continue to face challenges caused by human-wildlife conflict, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions that balance conservation goals with community livelihoods.
Author: Marie Jeanne Musabyemungu