Perceptions of Local People on the Use of Nyabarongo River Wetland and Its Conservation in Rwanda

[en] This research presents a case study on perceptions of local people on the use of Nyabrongo river wetland and its conservation in Rwanda. It critically examines the potential implications of a shift in wetland use and management practices for local people and presents empirical data from a household survey, group discussions, and observations from transect walks. Results showed that the change in the use and management regime of Nyabarongo river wetland poses substantial loss for local people in terms of provision of resources, income, and access to the wetland, so that the majority of the participants are not happy with the current use of the wetland. Research concluded that there should be participation of all stakeholders, including local people, during policy development in order to shift from commandand- control toward local stakeholder integration in decision making.

Disciplines :

Agriculture & agronomy

Author, co-author :

Nsengimana, Venuste ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Form. doct. sc. agro. & ingé. biol. (paysage)

Language :

English

Title :

Perceptions of Local People on the Use of Nyabarongo River Wetland and Its Conservation in Rwanda

Alternative titles :

[en] Perceptions of Local People on the Use of Nyabarongo River Wetland and Its Conservation in Rwanda

Publication date :

24 August 2016

Journal title :

Society and Natural Resources

ISSN :

0894-1920

eISSN :

1521-0723

Publisher :

Taylor and Francis Group

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Commentary :

The paper is interested in perceptions of local people towards changes in the use of Nyabarongo wetland. Before 2005, the wetland was used by local people for agriculture, cattle herding and exploitation of natural resources. Currently, it is governmental owned and privatized for sugar cane plantations. We were interested to know the impacts in wetland use change on local people, the level of understanding and proposals of local people towards its conservation.

Available on ORBi :

since 28 September 2017

Statistics

Number of views

98 (6 by ULiège)

Number of downloads

13 (4 by ULiège)

More statistics

Scopus citations^®

Scopus citations^®
without self-citations

OpenCitations

Bibliography

M.F.Abu-Taleb, and M.M.Murad. 1999. Use of focus group and surveys to evaluate water conservation. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management 125 (2):94–99. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9496(1999)125:2(94)
G.S.M.Andrade, and J.R.Rhodes. 2012. Protected areas and local communities:An inevitable partnership toward successful conservation strategies? Ecology and Society 17 (4):14. doi:10.5751/es-05216-170414
A.Ansoms, 2009. Privatization’s bitter fruit:The case of Kabuye Sugar Works in Rwanda. In L’Afrique des Grands Lacs:Annuaire 2008–2009, ed. S. Marysse, F. Reyntjens, & S. Vandeginste, 259–72. Paris, France:L’Harmattan.
A.Ansoms, I.Wagemakers, M.M.Walker, and J.Murison. 2014. Land contestation at the microscale:Struggles for space in the African marshes. World Development 54:243–52. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.08.010
B.Anthony, 2007. The dual nature of parks:Attitudes of neighboring communities towards Kruger National Park, South Africa. Environmental Conservation 34:236–45. doi:10.1017/s0376892907004018
Association for the Conservation of Nature in Rwanda (ACNR). 2004. Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in southeastern Rwanda. Kigali, Rwanda:Association for the Conservation of Nature in Rwanda.
M.Bagalwa, 2005. The impact of land use on water quality of the Lwiro River, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. African Journal of Aquatic Science 31:137–43. doi:10.2989/16085910609503881
D.Belshaw, and R.Chambers. 1973. A management systems approach to rural development. Discussion paper 161, Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
M.S.A.Blackwell, and E.S.Pilgrins. 2011. Ecosystem services delivered by small scale wetlands. Hydrological Science Journal 56:1467–84. doi:10.1080/02626667.2011.630317
K.Brown, 2003. Integrating conservation and development:A case of institutional misfit. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 1 (9):479–87. doi:10.1890/1540-9295(2003)001[0479:icadac]2.0.co;2
A.Bryman, and D.Cramer. 1997. Quantitative data analysis with SPSS for windows. London, UK:Routledge.
L.Cambrezy, 1981. Conquête des marais au Rwanda et dynamique de population [Conquest of marshlands in Rwanda and population dynamics]. Etudes Rurales 83:45–67. doi:10.3406/rural.1981.2664
J.Campese, T.Sunderland, T.Greiber, and G.Ovideo. 2009. Rights based approaches:Exploring issues and opportunities for conservation. Bogor, Indonesia:CIFOR and IUCN.
R.Chambers, 1994. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA):Analysis of experience. World Development 22 (9):1253–68. doi:10.1016/0305-750x(94)90003-5
M.Cottet, H.Piégay, and B.Gudrun. 2013. Does human perception of wetland aesthetics and healthiness relate to ecological functioning? Journal of Environmental Management 128:1012–22. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.06.056
P.Crisafulli, and A.Redmond. 2012. Rwanda Inc.:How a devastated nation became an economic model for the developing world. New York, NY:Palagrave Macmillan.
J.de Graaff, 1996. The price of soil erosion:An economic evaluation of soil conservation and watershed development. Mansholt Studies Vol. 3. Leiden, The Netherlands:Backhus.
P.J.Dugan, 1990. Wetland conservation:A review of current issues and required actions. Gland, Switzerland:IUCN.
C.J.Durrance, and K.F.Fisher. 2005. How libraries and librarians help:A guide to identifying user-centered outcome. Chicago, IL:American Library Association.
K.Emerson, P.J.Orr, D.L.Keyes, and K.M.Mcknight. 2009. Evaluating conflicts resolution:Evaluating performance outcomes and contributing factors. Conflict Resolution Quarterly 27:27–64. doi:10.1002/crq.247
C.M.Finlayson, R.D’Cruz, and N.C.Davidson. 2005. Ecosystems and human well-being:Wetlands and water. Synthesis Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Washington, DC:World Resource Institute.
C.Folke, J.Colding, and F.Berkes. 2003. Synthesis:Building resilience and adaptive capacity in socialecological systems. In Navigating social-ecological systems:Building resilience for complexity and change, ed. F.Berkes, J.Colding, and C.Folke, 352–87. Cambridge, UK:Cambridge University Press.
B.Fu, K.Wang, Y.Lu, S.Liu, K.Ma, L.Chen, and G.Liu. 2004. Entangling the complexity of protected area management:The case of Wolong Biosphere Reserve, southwestern China. Environmental Management 33:788–98. doi:10.1007/s00267-004-0043-8
E.Garcia-Frapolli, G.Ramos-Fernandes, E.Galicia, and A.Serrano. 2009. The complex reality of biodiversity conservation through natural protected area policy:Three cases studies from Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Land Use Policy 26:715–22. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2008.09.008
L.German, A.Mandondo, G.Paumagarten, and J.Mwita. 2014. Shifting rights, property and authority in the forest frontier:“Stakes’ for local land users and citizens. Journal of Peasant Studies 41 (1):51–78. doi:10.1080/03066150.2013.866554
B.Giddings, B.Hopwood, and G.O’Brien. 2002. Environmental, economy and society:Fitting them together into sustainable development. Sustainable Cities Research Institute. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK:John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Government of Rwanda. 2004. Strategic plan for agricultural transformation in Rwanda. Kigali, Rwanda:Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.
Government of Rwanda. 2005. Organic law determining the use and management of land in Rwanda (N°08/2005 of 14/07/2005). Kigali, Rwanda:Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.
Government of Rwanda. 2007. Economic development and poverty reduction strategy 2008–2012. Kigali, Rwanda:Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
Government of Rwanda. 2009. Strategic plan for the transformation of agriculture in Rwanda—Phase II (PSTA II)—Final report. Kigali, Rwanda:Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.
Government of Rwanda. 2010. Ministerial order N°007/16.01 of 15/07/2010 determining the length of land on shores of lakes and rivers transferred to public property. Kigali, Rwanda:Government of Rwanda.
D.N.Gross-Camp, M.Adrian, M.Shawn, and B.Kebede. 2015. The privatization of the Nyungwe National Park Buffer Zone and implications for adjacent communities. Society & Natural Resources 28 (3):296–311. doi:10.1080/08941920.2014.948246
A.Hamilton, A.Cunningham, D.Byarugaba, and F.Kayanja. 2000. Conservation in a region of political instability:Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Conservation Biology 14 (6):1722–25. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2000.99452.x
E.S.Higgs, (1997). What is good ecological restoration? Conservation Biology 11:338–48. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1997.95311.x
D.Hirsch, G.Abrami, R.Giordano, S.Liersch, N.Matin, and M.Schlüter. 2010. Participatory research for adaptive water management in a transition country—A case study from Uzbekistan. Ecology and Society 15 (3):23.
S.Hoverman, H.Ross, T.Chan, and B.Powell. 2011. Social learning through participatory integrated catchment risk assessment in the Solomon Islands. Ecology and Society 16 (2):17.
C.Huggins, 2013. Consolidating land, consolidating control:State-facilitated agricultural investment through the green revolution in Rwanda. Working paper no.16, The Land Deal Politics Initiative, Brighton, UK.
Important Bird, and Biodiversity Areas. 2010. Factsheet, RW004 Nyabarongo Wetland. September 9. www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=6776
International Water Management Institute. 2014. Wetlands and people. Colombo, Sri Lanka:IWMI.
C.Jim, and S.Xu. 2002. Stifled stakeholders and subdue participation:Interpreting local responses toward Shimentai Nature Reserve in South China. Environmental Management 30:327–41. doi:10.1007/s00267-002-2623-9
W.J.Junk, 2002. Long-term environmental trends and the future of tropical wetlands. Environmental Conservation 29:414–35. doi:10.1017/s0376892902000310
M.B.Lane, 2001. Affirming new directions in planning theory:Comanagement of protected areas. Society & Natural Resources 14:657–71. doi:10.1080/08941920118212
P.Lawn, 2008. Macroeconomic policy, growth and biodiversity conservation. Conservation Biology 22:1418–23. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01092.x
MEA (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment). 2005. Ecosystems and human well-being:Synthesis. Washington, DC:Island Press.
J.R.Miller, and R.J.Hobbs. 2007. Habitat restoration:Do we know what we are doing? Restoration Ecology 15:382–90. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100x.2007.00234.x
W.J.Mitsch, and J.G.Gosselink. 2000. The value of wetlands:Importance of scale and landscape setting. Ecological Economics 35:25–33. doi:10.1016/s0921-8009(00)00165-8
N.L.Nabahungu, and S.M.Visser. 2013. Farmer’s knowledge and perception of agricultural wetland management in Rwanda. Land Degradation & Development 24:363–74. doi:10.1002/ldr.1133
E.Neumayer, 1999. Weak versus strong sustainability:Exploring the limits of two opposing paradigms. Cheltenham, UK:Elgar.
A.J.Onwuegbuzie, and M.T.Collins. 2007. A typology of mixed methods sampling design in social science research. Qualitative Report 12 (2):281–316.
I.Palomo, B.Martin-Lopez, C.Lopez-Santiago, and C.Montes. 2011. Participatory scenario planning for protected areas management under the ecosystem in services framework:The Donana socio-ecological system in southwestern Spain. Ecology and Society 16:23.
J.Pretty, and D.Smith. 2004. Social capital in biodiversity conservation and management. Conservation Biology 18 (3):631–38. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00126.x
S.M.Redpath, J.Youn, A.Evely, W.M.Adams, W.J.Sutherland, A.Whitehouse, A.Amar, R.A.Lambert, J.D.C.Linnell, A.Watt, and R.J.Gutierrez. 2013. Understanding and managing conservation conflicts. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 28 (2):100–9. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2012.08.021
P.Reichert, M.Borsuk, M.Hostman, S.Schweizer, C.Sporri, K.Tockner, and B.Truffer. 2007. Concepts of decision support for river rehabilitation. Environmental Modelling & Software 22:188–201. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2005.07.017
L.F.Ricaurte, K.M.Wantzen, E.Agudelo, B.Betancourt, and J.Jukka. 2013. Participatory rural appraisal of ecosystem services of wetlands in the Amazonian Piedmont of Colombia:Elements for a sustainable management concept. Wetlands Ecology and Management 22:343–61. doi:10.1007/s11273-013-9333-3
C.Richards, K.L.Blackstock, and C.E.Carter. 2004. Practical approaches to participation. SERG policy brief No.1. Aberdeen, UK:Macauley Land Use Research Institute.
M.A.Shannon, and A.R.Antypas. 1997. Open institutions:Uncertainty and ambiguity in 21st-century forestry. In Creating a forestry for the 21st century:The science of ecosystem management, ed. K.A.Kohm and J.F.Franklin, 437–45. Washington, DC:Island Press.
J.Sherington, and A.Martin. 1997. Participatory research methods:Implementation, effectiveness and institutional context. Agricultural Systems 55:195–216. doi:10.1016/s0308-521x(97)00007-3
D.W.Stewart, and P.N.Shamdani. 1990. Focus groups discussion:Theory and practices. London, UK:Sage.
C.B.Teddlie, and A.Tashakkori. 2008. Foundations of mixed methods research:Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches in social and behavior sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.
N.Uphoff, J.Cohen, and A.Goldsmith. 1979. Feasibility and application of rural development participation:A state of the art paper. Ithaca, NY:Cornell University Press.
M.Veldman, and M.Lankhorst. 2011. Socio-economic impact of commercial exploitation of Rwandan marshes:A case study of sugarcane production in rural Kigali. Kigali, Rwanda:Coalition RCN–Justice and Democracy.
S.Vermeulen, and D.Sheli. 2007. Partnerships for tropical conservation. Oryx 41 (4):434–40. doi:10.1017/s0030605307001056
J.Vining, E.Tyler, and B.-S.Kweon. 2000. Public values, opinions, and emotions in restoration controversies. In Restoring Nature. Perspectives from the Social Sciences and Humanities, eds. P.H.Gobster and R.B.Hull 143–61. Washington, DC:Island press.
G.R.Wild, and J.Mutebi. 1997. Bwindi impenetrable forest, Uganda:Conservation through collaborative management. Nature and Resources 33 (4):1–45.
J.B.Zedler, and S.Kercher. 2005. Wetland resources:Status, trends, ecosystem services and restorability. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 30:39–74. doi:10.1146/annurev.energy.30.050504.144248
P.Zorrilla, G.Carmona, Á.De la Hera, C.Varela-Ortega, P.Martínez-Santos, J.Bromley, and H.Jorgen Henriksen. 2009. Evaluation of bayesian networks as a tool for participatory water resources management:Application to the upper Guadiana Basin in Spain. Ecology and Society 15 (3):12.