Over the years, the Government of Rwanda has relocated citizens living in wetlands, mainly to protect them from natural disasters and preserve the wetlands themselves.
It’s not just the people who have been relocated; various activities and businesses have also been removed from these areas to restore them and protect the environment, while also addressing climate change.
All actions to safeguard wetlands are guided by Article 42 of Law N°48/2018 of August 13, 2018, governing environmental protection in Rwanda.
In July 2022, the City of Kigali inaugurated the Nyandungu Eco Park, a recreational space created after relocating industrial activities from the area.
At the time, the city had a plan to continue restoring other wetlands, such as the Rwampara, Gikondo, Nyabugogo, and Rugenge wetlands, as well as areas known as Rwintare and Kibumba.
These efforts aim to promote cleanliness, protect the environment, and combat the effects of climate change.
Why is Wetland Conservation Necessary?
In an interview with ICK News, Edimond Twagirayezu, a researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB) in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of wetlands to the well-being of Rwandans and the country at large.
“Wetlands play a critical role in filtering water that comes from our households and runoff water from erosion, as they are the final destinations for these waters. The wetland’s function is to absorb all waste and release the water slowly, but in a purified form,” he explained.
He also noted that wetlands are home to various ecosystems, including snakes, aquatic animals, birds, amphibians, and cranes.
In addition, wetlands contribute to agricultural productivity, as different crops, such as rice and maize, are grown in these areas.
Twagirayezu further emphasized that wetlands provide diverse medicinal plants from the different species of trees that grow there.
Your Role in Wetland Conservation
While many wetland conservation measures are government-driven, every citizen can contribute to preserving these areas, particularly by avoiding actions that disrupt the biodiversity within wetlands.
One essential practice is avoiding the disposal of non-biodegradable waste in wetlands, as this harms the organisms living there.
“Firstly, it contaminates the water, damages the soil, and destroys the biodiversity present,” Twagirayezu noted.
Moreover, he advised against farming in non-designated wetland areas, fishing, cutting grass, or grazing livestock in wetlands, as these activities could lead to the disappearance of biodiversity or the total destruction of the wetland itself.
Twagirayezu warned that neglecting wetland conservation could exacerbate climate change.
“Cutting down trees, which attract rain and help prevent drought, or killing animals like snakes that control harmful insects, are practices that increase the adverse effects of climate change, such as droughts or soil degradation,” he added.
One of the areas that require more effort is educating communities about the importance of wetlands and how to conserve them. Additionally, creating groups dedicated to wetland preservation in schools and other areas is crucial.
As of now, Rwanda boasts 915 wetlands, which cover 10.6% of the country’s total surface area.
