The Integrated Mukungwa Wetland and Landscape Restoration Project aims to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems within the Mukungwa wetland and its surrounding landscape in Musanze District, Rwanda. The project responds to significant environmental pressures, including sedimentation, pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate related hazards such as floods and erosion, which negatively impact both local livelihoods and downstream ecosystems in the Lake Victoria Basin. It targets 10,000 beneficiaries across four sectors-Rwaza, Gacaca, Muhoza, and Muko-while prioritizing vulnerable groups and women.
The initiative focuses on restoring 100 hectares of wetland, implementing landscape restoration on 10,000 hectares, and upgrading the Mukungwa wetland into an eco tourism and recreation park. Activities include removing invasive species, rehabilitating waterways, planting native vegetation, establishing infrastructure such as boardwalks and visitor amenities, and improving watershed management through terraces, trenches, and retention ponds. The project also supports sustainable livelihoods and green job creation, with an estimated 5,000 green jobs anticipated as part of Rwanda's green recovery efforts.
Through ecosystem restoration, capacity building, improved biodiversity conservation, and climate resilient land management, the project contributes to national goals under Rwanda's Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation, and the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy. It strengthens community capacity to manage shared natural resources, enhances resilience to climate change, and reduces pollution and sediment loads feeding into the Lake Victoria Basin. Ultimately, the project delivers both ecological and socio economic benefits, advancing integrated natural resource management at the catchment level.
The Project aims to transform the Mukungwa Wetland into an urban wetland recreation and eco-tourism park with view to increase biodiversity, reduce flood risk and manage pollution. The project will not only provide social and economic benefits to the communities but also support innovative approaches to restore and conserve wetland ecosystems on 130 Ha including its buffer zone of 30ha, restoration Mukungwa wetland catchment on 5000ha, promote the sustainable management of natural resources and support livelihood diversification to enhance incomes for local communities.
The Project specific objectives include:
- Wetland Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded wetlands to improve biodiversity and ecosystem services;
- Landscape Rehabilitation: Implementing soil and water conservation measures to prevent erosion and land degradation;
- Livelihood improvement: engaging local communities in restoration activities to ensure sustainability and ownership; and
- Eco-tourism Development: Establishing the Mukungwa Urban Eco-tourism Park to promote conservation awareness and generate alternative livelihoods.
The Project specific objectives include:
- Wetland Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded wetlands to improve biodiversity and ecosystem services;
- Landscape Rehabilitation: Implementing soil and water conservation measures to prevent erosion and land degradation;
- Livelihood improvement: engaging local communities in restoration activities to ensure sustainability and ownership; and
- Eco-tourism Development: Establishing the Mukungwa Urban Eco-tourism Park to promote conservation awareness and generate alternative livelihoods.