i School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies WETLANDS MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION IN RWANDA. CASE STUDY: GIKONDO WETLAND Scholastica Shumbusho Mbabazi 0718806k A research report submitted to the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree in Masters of Science by coursework in Environmental Studies ii ABSTRACT Wetland management and conservation is a process that has been applied to numerous degrading wetlands in both developed and developing countries. The Ramsar Convention was the first intergovernmental organization that was established to raise wetland awareness around the world. Wetland awareness has been implemented through policy implementations, government collaborations and public education on the values and functions of wetlands. However, economic development has out weighed wetland benefits thus leading to wetland utilization and exploitation. This has led to the over utilization of these resources resulting in wetland loss and degradation. Rwanda recognized the value wetlands provide especially for a developing economy, thus the management and conservation of Gikondo wetland. This case study, Gikondo wetland, represents the classic example of conservation versus development in a struggling developing country. The study examines the process of relocating an entire industrial area to make way for the conservation of the wetland including the policy processes. The study revealed that the relocation of the industrial area will lead to the conservation of Gikondo wetland thus leading to overall environmental and social sustainability of the country. The management and conservation of Gikondo wetland builds upon a growing body of literature on economic development versus environmental sustainability in developing countries. iii DECLARATION I declare that this research report is my own, unaided work. It is submitted for the degree of Master of Science (coursework) in Environmental Studies at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other university. Name Shumbusho Scholastica Mbabazi Date (02/02/2010) iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Mashiga from REMA in all his dedication in making sure that i obtain all the necessary information. In addition, i also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the former State Minister of Lands and Environment Mrs. Hajabakiga. I would also like to thank Miss Kuradusenge for all her help in obtaining industrial documents. My Parents Vianney Shumbusho and Susanne Balera for all their love and advice during the course of writing this report I would like to sincerely thank my supervisor, Professor Charles Mather for all the advice and contribution to this research report. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT II DECLARATION III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IV TABLE OF CONTENTS V LIST OF FIGURES VIII LIST OF TABLES VIII LIST OF PLATES VIII ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS IX 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Study Area 3 1.2 Aims, Objectives and Rational of the study 6 1.3 Structure of the Report 7 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 8 2.1 Introduction 8 2.2 Defining Wetlands 8 2.3 Value of Wetlands 11 2.4 Wetland Degradation and Loss 16 2.5 Wetland Management and Conservation 20 vi 2.6 Wetland conservation versus development 26 2.7 Ramsar Convention 28 2.8 Rwanda?s Wetlands 31 2.8.1 Wetlands Exploitation in Rwanda 35 2.8.2 Case Study: Gikondo Wetland 39 2.9 Summary 40 3 METHODOLOGY 42 3.1 Introduction 42 3.2 Qualitative Research Method 42 3.3 Data Analysis 45 3.4 Summary 45 4 POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AFFECTING WETLAND MANAGEMENT IN RWANDA 47 4.1 Introduction 47 4.2 Rwandan Wetland Policy (Draft) 47 4.3 Review of the Policies and Laws Affecting Wetland Management 51 4.4 Policy and Institutional weaknesses 55 4.5 Summary 57 5 MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF GIKONDO WETLAND 58 5.1 Introduction 58 5.2 Overview of Gikondo wetland 58 5.3 Sources of Pollution to Gikondo wetland 59 5.4 Assessing Pollution in Gikondo Wetland 63 vii 5.4.1 Kigali Industrial-Environmental Management Project (KIEM) 63 5.4.2 Biophysical Analysis of Gikondo wetland 65 5.5 The Relocation Process 70 5.6 The Compensation Process 74 5.7 Summary 75 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 77 6.1 Introduction 77 6.2 Wetland Management as an Environmental Tool 77 6.3 Wetland degradation to management (Gikondo wetland) 79 6.4 Recommendation 81 6.5 Conclusion 82 7 REFERENCES 84 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of Rwanda Figure 2: Map of Kigali City Figure 3: Map of Gikondo Area Figure 4: Permeability Analysis in Gikondo wetland Figure 5: Streptococcus Analysis of Gikondo wetland LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Classification of Rwanda?s wetlands according to surface area Table 2: Annual Income from different crops Table3: Gikondo Industries and their respective Products Table 4: Stakeholders and the concerns of the relocation process LIST OF PLATES Plate 1: Modern Pit Latrine Plate 2: Polluted water near Gikondo wetland ix ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS CP Cleaner Production GoR Government of Rwanda KIEM Kigali Industrial Environment Management LVEMP Lake Victoria Environmental Management programme MINALOC Ministry of Local Government MINAGRI Ministry of Agriculture MINECOFIN Ministry of Finance MINICOM Ministry of Commerce MINIFRA Ministry of Infrastructure MINTERE Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water and Mines MVK City of Kigali REMA Rwanda Environmental Management Authority RIEPA Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environmental Programme UN-HABITAT United Nation Human Settlements Programme