Rwanda wetlands-oct-2008-e

The government of Rwanda

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

FAO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Regreening Thousand Hills in Rwanda’s Regreening Thousand Hills in Rwanda’s WetlandsWetlands

A programme for a wiser use of wetlands for food securityA programme for a wiser use of wetlands for food security

Partners

Wetlands : conserving and protecting biodiversity

Back to the plentiful : it takes so little for wetlands to dry out and to degrade !

Wetlands : rich reservoirs of water, biodiversity and sources of energy

Rugezi (Northern Province), a Ramsar site where rehabilitated marshlands are replenished with water

A consequence of the protection of fragile ecosystems: a peaceful and recreational environment

In the area of Rugezi protected by the Ramsar Convention, households can satisfy their needs for water

Agriculture is allowed in certain marshlands provided that the land is not degraded

A wise use of land leads to more yields

New roads along protected wetlands shorten distances from one place to another

To practice agriculture on terraces is a wise use of land highly demanded by a growing population

A 50 meter buffer zone separates the lake from the main road

Rwandese farmers have learned to make use of scarce water on hill sides: productivity has doubled

Ploughing and planting with respect for nature and the environment

Wetlands : conserving and protecting biodiversity

Cattle graze on protected lands where villagers meet and socialize

Pictures

Giulio Napolitano

ReportageLiliane Kambirigi

Fidèle Mpabwanimana

Slideshow

Eric Deleu

In collaboration with

Ministry of Natural Resources (Rwanda)

FAO - Kigali

FAO Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Rome)

Ramsar Secretariat (Convention on Wetlands)

Produced by the FAO Communication Division (Rome)