The "Revitalizing Lake Kivu Basin in Nyamasheke and Rusizi through Landscape Restoration" project has made impressive strides toward its restoration goals over the past six months. Implemented by Rural Development Inter-diocesan Service (RDIS), the project aims to restore degraded ecosystems in the Rusizi River Basin through tree planting and sustainable land management practices. With an ambitious goal of planting 377,000 trees by 2025 and restoring 860 hectares by 2029, the project is on track to achieve these targets.
Progress and Achievements
In the year 2025, the project has successfully produced and planted 211,293 trees, representing over 56% of the 2024 planting target. These trees are strategically planted across six restoration sites in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts, which include Bweyeye, Kamembe, and Nzahaha in Rusizi and Gihombo, Kanjongo, and Kirimbi in Nyamasheke. The species planted include Ficus thonningii, Grevillea Robusta, Alnus acuminata, Persea Americana (avocado), Maesopsis emin and Bambusa balcooa, among others.
The project has engaged local communities significantly, with 240 individuals employed across various roles, including nursery management, tree planting, and security. In addition, 16 youth volunteers have contributed to community mobilization, data collection, and monitoring activities. Volunteers and employees have been trained on essential skills, including tree planting techniques, nursery management, data collection using mobile applications like Kobo Toolbox and Flority, and grafting techniques for fruit trees. This training not only supports the project's goals but empowers local residents with valuable skills for future sustainability.
Community Engagement and Socio-Economic Impact
Community engagement has been at the core of the project, ensuring that local priorities guide restoration activities. The project directly employed 161 community members, providing vital income that helped families pay for health insurance, school fees, and household improvements.
Additionally, several families have invested their earnings in small livestock, which will further contribute to their economic development.
RDIS has also responded to community priorities by addressing local challenges such as erosion and flooding. For instance, native tree species like Bambusa balcooa were planted along the buffer zones of Lake Kivu and local rivers, protecting these vital areas from erosion. Moreover, grafted avocado trees have been distributed to community members, providing both nutritional benefits and a potential source of income.
In alignment with RDIS’s commitment to gender equity, 121 of the 240 employed workers are women, and 79 of the employees are young people under the age of 35. The project’s inclusive approach ensures that marginalized groups are given opportunities to participate in and benefit from landscape restoration efforts.
Among the employed farmers, some have purchase small domestic animal in the following ways: Five families purchased goats, 31 families purchased chickens (Poultry farming), 7 families purchase pigs and 5 families purchased Rabbits. Furthermore 37 individual were able to pay school fees for their children, 9 People renovate/maintained their homes and 5 people started new small businesses of fruits and vegetables.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Despite the successes, the project faced some challenges, including delayed rainfall that affected planting schedules, vandalism at one of the nurseries, and fungal diseases impacting some seedling health. However, through swift action, including enhanced security measures and fungal treatment, these challenges were addressed, ensuring minimal disruption to the project timeline.
One of the key lessons learned has been the importance of community education in overcoming resistance to planting native tree species. Initially, many farmers were hesitant to adopt species like Ficus thonningii due to cultural misconceptions. However, through awareness campaigns and community mobilization, these perceptions have shifted, and more farmers are now embracing native tree planting.
Looking Forward
The next phase of the project involves continuing tree planting and community engagement, with a target to plant an additional 188,500 trees by December 2025. RDIS is also expanding its efforts to improve food security and income generation for local communities through additional initiatives like beekeeping and agroforestry.
The "Revitalizing Lake Kivu Basin" project exemplifies how sustainable landscape restoration can foster both environmental and socio-economic resilience, ensuring a brighter future for the communities in Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts.
As we continue this important work, RDIS remains committed to working closely with local communities and stakeholders to restore ecosystems, create jobs, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Some photos
Report done on the 18th February 2025 by
Eric Bagenzi/ Project Manager