Integrated Management of Transboundary Water Resources of Lakes Rweru, Cyohoha and the Akanyaru Marshlands (GIRET)

Project Overview

<p>This project promotes the sustainable management of the transboundary lake and wetland systems of Lake Cyohoha, Rweru and Akanyaru located along the Burundi-Rwanda border. It also supports sustainable livelihood activities for the communities that reside around these natural resources.</p>

Description

<p>The project area covers the Akanyaru marshland, the Lakes Cyohoha and Rweru and their watersheds shared by Rwanda and Burundi, and is located in the Akanyaru sub-basin and the downstream Nyabarongo sub-basin, both being part of the Kagera sub-basin shared by Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania. The project area has experienced a steady decline in the level of ecosystem services from being the food basket of Rwanda and Burundi in the 1960s with widespread forest area and plenty of rainfall to its current status of frequent drought, soil erosion and lack of grazing land.&Acirc; </p>
<p>The objective of this project is to enhance:</p>
<ul>
<li>Co-ordination, sustainable development, management and utilization of the Lakes Cyohoha, Rweru, Akanyaru marshland environment, including water and fisheries resources production</li>
<li>Contribute to poverty reduction and the reversal of environmental degradation in the Bugesera region shared by Rwanda and Burundi, especially in the Rweru and Cyohoha lakes basins and Akanyaru marshland.</li>
</ul>
<p>The project aims to develop 4,200ha irrigated land; 2.5 million agroforestry trees; 765ha riverbank & lake shores protected; restocking of 2 lakes; support to 9 fishermen cooperatives; 1 million beneficiaries including 4,500 fisher folks and improved capacity of more than 6,500 farmers.&Acirc; </p>
<p>In more detail:</p>
<ul>
<li>Integrated Agriculture and Watershed Development and Management: Nearly 2,000 ha of irrigated land set up with hillside irrigation techniques and effective marshland management, more than 6,500 farmers with improved capacities on improved seeds, dairy cows and post-harvest infrastructures</li>
<li>Watershed management: Mechanisms and capacities for joint water monitoring and management in place and operational, Protection of 765 ha of lakeshores and Akanyaru riverbanks with fodder grass, agroforestry, fruit, bamboo and indigenous tree species. Conservation of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity through restoration of lakes shores, spawning sites and catchments and joint mechanisms for fishery and water resources monitoring and management</li>
<li>Fisheries Resources Development and Management: Restock of the 2 lakes with 1,000,000 tilapia fingerlings, support construction of fishery infrastructures and strengthen capacities of 9 fishermen cooperatives and key stakeholders for sustainable fishery development. Regional Integration and peace building through harmonized policies frameworks</li>
<li>Capacity building and development: Capacity building for alternative livelihood and by commodity chain of 4,500 beneficiaries from fishery, farmers and agriculture cooperatives, 50% being women. Leading to poverty reduction and improved food security. This component also specifically addresses knowledge generation and dissemination systems to monitor specific risks and threats, notable climate change and variability.</li>
</ul>
<p>The project is ready for implementation and requires funding of USD 95m over 4 years implementation to enable the project to become financially self-sufficient.</p>

Objectives

<p>The objective of this project is to enhance:</p>
<ul>
<li>Co-ordination, sustainable development, management and utilization of the Lakes Cyohoha, Rweru, Akanyaru marshland environment, including water and fisheries resources production</li>
<li>Contribute to poverty reduction and the reversal of environmental degradation in the Bugesera region shared by Rwanda and Burundi, especially in the Rweru and Cyohoha lakes basins and Akanyaru marshland.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Benefits:</strong></p>
<p>The project will equip land for irrigation, plant trees to rehabilitate degraded watersheds, restored degraded riverbanks and lakeshores, stock 2 lakes with fish, and build capacity of rural farmers. The project will benefit 1 million people in Burundi and Rwanda.</p>

Stakeholders