Rwanda

The Volcanoes Park and Nyungwe National Park are recognized sites of global importance for their biodiversity and endemism values. They are also seen as primary sources of tourism revenue and ecological services. This forest estate remains under threat from the land and resource needs of a still-growing human population that occupies the rural landscape at average densities of 345 per km2.
This GEF proposal brings additional resources to assure the long-term maintenance of the P.A for their biodiversity, ecological functions, environmental services, and economic benefits. This proposed GEF investsment target three key area:
1-Central Governmental policies and laws, staff capacities, and collaborative frameworks;
2- Local district capacities to plan, co-manage, and benefit from appropriate development activities on PA-adjacent lands;
3-PA adaptive management capacity to assure long-term biodiversity values through applied research, monitoring, and evaluation.
This project responds to Strategic Priority BD1 of the GEF. The project is executed by NEX process, with support from UNDP. Field implementation is by institutions of local advantage. The prodoc builds on recommendations from the July 2005 Project Apparaisal Committee.

Finding for Protected Area management increased through new business plans.
Increased level of income in communities through revenue sharing, collaborative Development Fund plans and other income-generating activities.
District Development Plans with specific pro-biodiversity strategies implemented.
Wildlife law produced, approved and applied to improve PA management.
Forest cover maintened, with increased area under bamboo, natural regeneration.