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UNIT 18: Environmental conservation in Rwanda and tourism
Topic area
Human and Economic Geography
Sub-topic area
Economic activities
Key unit competence
By the end of this unit, you should be able to investigate the impact of environmental conservation and tourism on sustainable development of Rwanda.
Unit objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Give the definition of environmental conservation.
• Name different natural resources of Rwanda.
• State the reasons and ways for conservation of the environment in Rwanda.
•Identify the impact of conservation on the environment in Rwanda.
• Identify the factors and problems affecting conservation in Rwanda.
• Define tourism and eco tourism.
• State major tourist attractions in Rwanda.
• State the factors affecting tourism in the world.
• Give the importance of tourism in Rwanda.
• Identify the problems of tourism in Rwanda.
• State the impact of tourism on the environment in the country.
Definition of environmental conservation
Activity 18.1
Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information and knowledge gained from other topics in Geography.
1. Define environmental conservation.
2. Write down your findings and discuss them in class discussion.
The environment refers to our surrounding. It includes living things and natural forces. Environmental conservation refers to the act of saving our natural resources through careful management. Examples of ways to conserve our environment include reducing waste, saving trees, recycling domestic and industrial wastes and using renewable resources.
Activity 18.2
Work in groups of five.
Use the knowledge on how to conserve your environment.
1. Observe the environment within your school compound.
2. Suggest ways in which you can better protect your environment.
3. Together with your group mates do the following.
(a) Collect litter in your school compound.
(b) Separate the waste into recyclable and non-recyclable wastes.
(c) Dispose the non-recyclable waste properly and burn it in an incinerator.
(d) Recycle the recyclable waste.
(e) Cut the grass.
(f) Water the flowers.
(g) Plant trees along the edges of your school compound and water them.
Unblock the drainage.
4. Discuss the importance of environmental conservation. Refer to the case of your school environment.
5. Write down your findings and present them in class.
Types of natural resources
Activity 18.3
Use knowledge gained in Geography.
1. Define natural resources.
2. List the natural resources available in your environment.
Natural resources are materials provided by nature that humans use. Examples of natural resources are air, water, wood, oil,wind energy, plants, animals, soil, stone, mineral deposits, fossil fuels, land and forests. Natural resources form the natural capital of a nation.
Activity 18.4
Work in groups of three. Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information;
1. Research on the types or classification of natural resources in Rwanda.
2. Explain the meaning of the types of natural resources you have identified.
3. Point out specific examples from your environment of the types of natural resources you have listed.
4. Write down your points to be presented in a class discussion.
Rwanda is blessed with natural resources. The resources are categorised as follows.
(a) Biotic resources
These resources come from living and organic materials such as forests, birds and animals. They also include materials obtained from them. Biotic resources are also known as the living resources. They are renewable.
(b) Abiotic resources
These resources are those that come from non-living and non-organic materials. Examples of abiotic resources include land, fresh water, air and heavy metals.
(c) Renewable resources
Renewable resources can be replenished naturally. Some of the resources, like sunlight, air, wind are continuously available. Their quantity is not noticeably affected by human consumption.
(d) Non-renewable resources
Non-renewable resources either form slowly or do not naturally form in the environment. Minerals are the most common resource in this category. Fossil fuels are also non renewable resources because of their slow rate of formation.
Reasons for conservation of natural resources in Rwanda
Case study
In pairs study the short story and use it to answer the questions that follow. Mzee Byamugisha William is a headteacher of a secondary school in the Southern Province in Rwanda. One Monday morning during the school’s environment day, he addressed his students at the assembly and gave them the following speech on the environment.
“Students, learn to take care of your environment and the natural resources at your disposal. It is through the natural resources like vegetation that we feed. The environment provides fresh air to humans, animals and plants. Plants filter the bad gases that would otherwise harm us. From our environment, we get rain water that flows into our rivers, lakes, wetlands and swamps. Buildings are constructed by funds obtained from the exploitation of various natural resources.
From the forests, we get firewood, charcoal and building materials. We also get natural gas from our environment. We must plant more trees and regularly water dehydrated plants. Let us make our school a green haven and teach our neighbours how to care and conserve the environment. Thank you.”
(a) From Mr. Byamugusha’s speech, explain reasons why we should conserve our environment.
(b) Point out and explain ways in which the environment can be conserved from Mr. Byamugisha’s speech. (c) Write down your points and discuss them in a class presentation.
It is important to note that the resources in the environment are very important for the survival of humans for the following reasons:
(a) Habitat for flora and fauna
Natural resources like forests and water bodies serve as habitat to different species of plants and animals that live in them.
(b) The role played by vegetation
The environment is composed of vegetation among many other resources. The vegetation especially the forests are important in cleaning the atmosphere and water bodies. Vegetation is also important in preventing soil erosion and attracting rainfall.
(c) Provision of fuel
The environment is the source of fuel in form of firewood from forests, methane gas from Lake Kivu, peat coal, solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectric power from the various rivers of Rwanda.
(d) Source of food
Both humans and animals get food from the environment. Natural resources such as land support the growth of plants that provide us with food.
(e) Development of tourism
The components of the environment such as wetlands, forests, wild animals and water bodies attract tourists. Tourists provide foreign exchange to the country hence significantly contributing to development. (f) Modification of climate
The natural environment is made up of water bodies, forests and wetlands that play a great role in the modification of microclimates.
(g) Soil conservation
Forests and vegetation that are part of the natural environment provide a protective cover to soils.
The forested areas of Rwanda such as Nyungwe, Gishwati are water catchment areas. They are sources of many rivers in Rwanda. (i) Source of employment opportunities Water bodies, forested areas and mining areas contribute a lot to the creation of jobs to the population.
(j) Need to protect endangered species
There is need to protect the endangered species of animals and plants that are threatened with extinction. This is only possible when the environment is conserved.
Ways of conservation of natural resources in Rwanda
Activity 18.5
Work in pairs.
Use your local environment.
1. Explain ways in which the natural resources in Rwanda can be conserved.
2. Write down your answers and share them in a class discussion.
Based on the need for sustainable utilisation of natural resources, various ways have been devised to conserve the natural resources for the future. These ways include the following.
(a) Enacting laws that protect the natural resources.
(b) Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
(c) Integration of environmental issues in the education system.
(d) Mass education on the importance of protecting the environment
(e) Utilisation of better forms of energy.
(f) Penalties to those who degrade the environment.
(g) Establishing special industrial sites.
(i) Treating of wastes before disposal.
(j) Rehabilitation of open pits and quarry sites.
(k) Strict government regulations on manufactured goods.
(l) Recycling by-products
(m) Protection of water resources.Establishing wildlife resources such as forest reserves and parks.
(o) Setting up green belts in urban areas.
(p) Afforestation and reforestation.
(q) Use of better farming methods.
The impact of conservation on the environment and development in Rwanda
Activity 18.6
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information.
1. Explain the impact of environmental conservation on development in Rwanda.
2. Write down your points and discuss them in a class presentation.
Activity 18.7
Work in groups of three.
Study the photograph provided and answer the questions that follow.
1. Explain the importance of enabling the above cycle to function properly through environmental conservation measures.
2. Discuss what would happen in case we had no vegetation and water bodies.
3. Examine the impact of conservation of the environment on the general development of the country.
4. Write down all your answers and share them in a class presentation.
The impact of conservation on environment and development in Rwanda include the following:
(a) It leads to the decrease of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due the increase in the number of trees and vegetation cover.
(b) It enriches the environment hence reducing cases of environmental degradation.
(c) It prevents the extinction of rare and endangered species of animals and plants.
(d) It mitigates the effects of global warming.
(e) It enhances tourism through the protection of wildlife, rare animal species and tree plantations.
(f) It helps in reducing poverty through the provision of environmental job opportunities and promotion of tourism.
(g) It leads to economic growth of the country since people have jobs, infrastructures such as hotels, schools, and research centres.
(i) It ensures continuous supply of energy for future use.
(j) It ensures a steady source of raw materials to the industries.
(k) It ensures preservation of soil fertility hence growth in the agricultural sector.
(l) It ensures presence of clean air for respiration and existence of living things.
(m) It ensures a secure habitat for animals and birds.
Problems encountered in conserving the environment and their possible solutions in Rwanda
Activity 18.8
Use your local environment.
1. Explain the problems that affect conservation of the environment in Rwanda.
2. Suggest possible solutions to the problems highlighted.
3. Discuss what the future of the country will be if matters of environmental conservation are not taken seriously.
4. Give the importance of environmental conservation to humans and to the country.
5. Compile your answers and write them down to be presented in a class discussion.
The table below shows some of the problems encountered in conserving the environment and their suggested solutions.
Task 18.1
1. Environmental conservation in Rwanda, is not a one person’s affair nor is it a day’s activity. Discuss.
2. (a)Identify the problems associated with environmental conservation in your district.
(b)Suggest solutions to the problems that you have highlighted.
3. State the significance of environmental conservation in your district.Tourism
Definition of tourism, eco-tourism
Activity 18.9
Study the photograph provided and use it to answer the questions that follow.
1. Name the activity that is taking place in the photograph.
2. Name the animal shown in the photograph.
3. State the name given to people who visit such places.
4. With supportive reasons explain why such animals and their habitats should be protected by the government and the communities that live near them.
5. Have you ever visited any place of your interest? Tell the class your experience.
Tourism refers to travel for recreation, leisure, religious, family or business purposes usually for a limited duration. Tourism may be practised outside one’s country or domestically within the confines of one’s country.
Eco-tourism is tourism that is directed towards natural environments, to support conservation efforts and to observe wildlife. It is a form of responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment.
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. It aims at utilising the environment in a sustainable manner. Revenue is got from the environment without affecting its state.
Forms of tourism
Case study
Read the passage below and use it to answer the questions that follow. Gasasira Etienne is a citizen of Rwanda. During the December holidays, he visited the Akagera National Park with his family. Together, they enjoyed looking at the wild animals, birds, trees, water points and bushes that contain different plant species. Mr Etienne’s family enjoyed their visit. They went back home happy. On the other side of the country in the Northern Province, foreign tourists from European countries visted the Volcanoes National Park, the Musanze caves and Lake Ruhondo. They also enjoyed their visit and the beautiful sceneries that the country offered them.
(a) Identify the two forms of tourism indicated in the passage.
(b) Identify the tourist attraction sites that the people mentioned in the passage visited and the places where they are located.
Forms of tourism refer to the types of tourism. There are two main types or forms of tourism.
• Domestic tourism.
• International tourism.
Domestic tourism involves visiting places that are located within the borders of one’s country for pleasure, relaxation, study or research. In the activity above, Mr. Etienne and his family visited Akagera National Park. This is known as domestic tourism.
When tourists come from Europe to tour Rwanda, this is known as international tourism. Their travel involves crossing of international borders to reach Rwanda. The citizens of Rwanda also get involved in international tourism when they tour other countries. The two main forms of tourism are further sub-divided into other forms. They include the following.
Major tourist attractions in Rwanda
Activity 18.10
1. In groups, study the photographs below and name the tourist attractions that are represented by the photographs.
2. Apart from the above tourist attractions, identify other tourist sites found in Rwanda.
3. Present your findings in a class presentation.
Rwanda is blessed with a wide range of tourist attractions. They include the following:
(a) Wild animals
These include mountain gorillas, elephants, hippos, giraffes, monkeys, buffaloes and lions. The animals are protected in the national parks and game reserves such as the Nyungwe National Park,Akagera National Park and Birunga National Park.
(b) Mountains and hills
Rwanda has various mountains and rolling hills that make it a land of thousand hills at the heart of Africa. The mountains are located in the Northern and some parts of the Western Provinces of the country. The areas have a rich biodiversity that attract tourists.
(c) Vegetation
Forests like Nyungwe, Gishwati Forest, and the savanna woodlands of the Akagera are part of the vegetation that are attractions in Rwanda.
(d) Waterbodies
The tourism industry of Rwanda is also supported by the presence of various water bodies and wetlands in the country. They include lakes such as Lakes Kivu, Burera, Ruhondo, Mugesera, Muhazi and Ihema. These water bodies provide beautiful sceneries that attract tourists.
(e) Hot springs
Rwanda has other tourist attractions that are associated with vulcanicity. Among them are the hot springs in Rusizi and Rubavu districts.
(f) Beaches
There are beaches next to the Rwandan lakes. The beaches offer excellent sites for relaxation. They have become tourist attraction centres in Rwanda. These are common along the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu, Lake Muhazi, and around Lake Rumira in Bugesera.
(g) Caves
There are several caves found in Rwanda especially in the Northern Province of the country. Many are found in Musanze District.
They include the Nyanza king’s palace which was the headquarters of the traditional kingdom in Nyanza district, the burial place of the traditional kings in Gicumbi district and Urutare rwa Ndaba in Karongi district. Genocide memorial sites make an important part of the history of Rwanda. The sites include the sites at Gisozi, Bisesero, Murambi, Nyarubuye and Nyamata church. The sites are visited by both domestic and foreign tourists.
Activity 18.11
Work in pairs.
1. Draw a sketch map of Rwanda.
2. Locate the main tourist attraction sites in the country.
3. Present your findings in a class presentation.
Factors affecting the development of tourism in Rwanda
Case study
Miss Mutoni Sarah, a resident of Gashora studied tourism and hospitality in one of the prominent universities of Rwanda. She went for an interview seeking for employment at the Akagera National Park. Below are some the questions she was asked by the panel of interviewers.
(a) What do you understand by tourism?
(b) Explain the factors that affect the development of tourism in Rwanda.
(c) What prompted you to take a career in tourism? Suppose you were Miss Mutoni Sarah, provide correct answers to the questions asked and discuss them in a class presentation.
There are several factors that affect the development of tourism in Rwanda. They include the following.
(a) The presence of tourist attraction sites in the country.
(b) Political stability in the country.
(c) Extensive marketing of tourist destinations.
(d) Adequate capital for the modernisation of tourism in the country.
(e) The presence of tourism infrastructure.
(f) The presence of the required professional staff.
(g) The hospitable nature of the Rwandan people.
(i) The presence of a variety of world class facilities of accommodation.
(j) Improved purchasing power of the domestic tourists.
(k) Favourable government policies towards tourism.
(l) The favourable climate of the country.
(m) Historical and cultural factors that contribute to the development of tourism.
Importance of tourism in Rwanda
Activity 18.12
Your teacher will organise for you to visit one of the tourist attraction areas in Rwanda. In groups:
1. Assess the importance of tourism to the area and to the country.
2. Relate tourism to the sustainable development of the country.
3. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
There are various important contributions of tourism to the socio-economic development of Rwanda. They include the following:
(a) Tourism is a source of foreign exchange to the country.
(b) Tourism is a source of revenue to the government.
(c) It is a source of income to professionals in the industry and the communities that live near tourism sites.
(d) To u r i s m o f f e r s e m p l o y m e n t opportunities to the people of Rwanda.
(e) Tourism has led to the development of infrastructure in the country.
(f) Tourism offers a forum for intercultural exchange.
(g) Tourism provides an opportunity for improved international relations.
(i) Tourism creates markets for local products.
(j) It promotes industrialisation.
(k) Tourism has contributed to urbanisation in Rwanda.
(l) Through tourism, people acquire skills.
(m) Tourism offers an opportunity for the ideal utilisation of resources.
The future prospects of tourism in Rwanda
Activity 18.13
Work in pairs. Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information;
1. Using examples, find out and discuss the future prospects of tourism in Rwanda.
2. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
With the efforts being put in by the government and private investors in the sector, the future of tourism in Rwanda is very bright. The government has in plan several measures to enable the development of tourism in the country. The future prospects of tourism in the country is promising.
(a) The government plans to develop other products that can attract more tourists to Rwanda.
(b) The Rwandan government plans to intensify marketing and awareness of the resources found in the country.
(c) The country intends to increase the number of skilled and professional personnel in the sector through training.
(d) There are more plans to involve the local communities who live near tourist attractions in the management of the sites.
(e) There are plans to open up the country more through increased development of transport infrastructure.
(f) There are plans to review the current framework of regulations so that laws are established to facilitate sustainable growth and development of the tourism sector in the country.
(g) The investors willing to develop businesses in the sector will receive full support from the government.
(i) There will be financing and investment measures put in place to promote the sector.
(j) New tourism areas are being identified and legally demarcated. This is aimed at increasing the scope of tourism in the country.
Problems affecting tourism in Rwanda and their solutions
Activity 18.14
Work in pairs. Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information;
1. Find out the problems that affect tourism and its development in Rwanda.
2. Suggest possible solutions to the problems that you have highlighted.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
There are many problems that affect the development of tourism in Rwanda. They include the following:
(a) High population
Increase in human population has led to human encroachment on the tourist attraction sites destroying the natural habitats for wildlife.
(b) Lack of a skilled labour force
Lack of skilled and trained workers in various tourist centres affects the quality of service offered.
(c) Negative image painted by the past
The negative reputation and image of Rwanda due to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis has had a negative effect to the development of the tourism sector.
(d) Lack of participation in tourism by the locals
There is a lack of interest within the local population that is ignorant on the tourist attractions in the country.
(e) Inadequate social facilities
There are inadequate social facilities such as hospitals, sports and other recreational facilities in areas containing tourist attractions.
(f) Poor technology
The level of technological development of the country is still very low. This affects the development and growth of tourism industry.
(g) Poaching
Illegal poaching has led to the diminishing numbers of wild game.
(i) Poor transport and communication
Most of the areas of importance to tourism are situated in remote areas where roads are non-existent or impassable during the rainy seasons.
(j) Inadequate accommodation facilities
The accommodation facilities available for tourists in the country are few and do not quite measure up to the required international standards.
(k) Inadequate capital
Lack of financial resources that are needed in fostering the development and growth of tourism is a great challenge for the sector.
(l) Pests and diseases
The tourism sector in Rwanda is threatened by the presence of tropical diseases that claim a large number of wildlife - both flora and fauna.
(m) Poor climatic conditions
The tourism industry in Rwanda is commonly affected by the harsh climatic conditions.
Solutions to problems facing tourism in Rwanda
Below are some of the solutions to the problems that affect tourism in Rwanda.
(a) Intensive and extensive awareness campaign programs should be conducted to market the country as a tourist destination of choice.
(b) The government should make it easy for entrepreneurs in the sector to access credit facilities so that they can invest more in the sector.
(c) The government should integrate tourism in the education system from primary level to the universities. (d) Transport facilities such as roads – both feeder and tarmac roads should be put in place to connect areas of tourism potential with the urban centres.
(e) The government should take it as an area of concern to provide security to the tourists.
(f) The private sector and other agencies should be encouraged to invest in tourism related businesses so as to increase the provision of better tourism services in the country. (g) The government has enacted laws that prohibit poaching.
(i) The land reform programs are still being implemented to ensure that settlements are located away from the conserved and protected areas.
Impact of tourism on the environment and development in Rwanda
Case study
Read the story below to answer the questions that follow. The day started with silver- ringed horizon that decorated the background of the rolling beautiful hills of the central part of Rwanda. The cool breeze was refreshing. Together with my friends, we had planned to go for a camp out at the Akagera National Park. We packed our belongings and got into the tour van that we had hired for the holiday camp out.
When we got to the park, our driver accidently knocked a young fox that abruptly ran across the van. This was a terrible experience. On our way towards the centre, we found caterpillars clearing vegetation as they rehabilitated the roads. In fact, much of the grassland was cleared. The tractors and caterpillars produced thick fumes into the atmosphere. On reaching our camping site, we found piles of firewood that awaited collection.
Since there were no vacant rooms in the nearby hotels, we were advised to erect out tent at a spot that we were shown. We asked for pangas and started clearing the place where we later set up our tent. The camp out was so enjoyable in spite of the loss of the little fox.
(a) Identify the impact of tourism on the environment and on development as highlighted in the passage above.
(b) Basing on case studies of tourist attraction areas in the country, evaluate the impact of tourism on the environment and development to Rwanda.
(c) Write down your answers and present them in a class discussion.
The tourism industry is credited for its positive contribution to the socio-economic development of the country. However, some of the activities involved in the operations of tourism industry have had a negative impact on the environment. It should be noted that the impacts of tourism on the environment are both positive and negative. They are discussed below.
The positive impact of tourism on the environment and development in Rwanda
(a) There has been great investments in the sector where hotels, lodges and roads have been constructed. This assists in the general development of the country.
(b) Tourism has influenced the conservation and protection of both flora and fauna since these are the basis of its development and growth.
(c) The tourism industry has created employment opportunities to many Rwandans.
(d) Tourism has led to the development of infrastructure such as roads, hotels, lodges and other recreational facilities.
(e) The Rwandans are able to acquire positive values such as the culture of life-long reading.
(f) There has been development of small scale industries at the grassroot levels.
The negative impact of tourism on the development and environment in Rwanda
(a) The establishment of tourism infrastructure negatively affects the environment. Much of the vegetation is cleared, top soils removed and habitat places for fauna destroyed.
(b) Trees and grasses are cleared during the time when the tourists track down animals and during the establishing of camp sites and sheds. This contributes to environmental degradation.
(c) Tourism facilities such as hotels and swimming pools create much pressure on water resources hence reducing the supply of water to the local population.
(d) Tourism creates great pressure on local resources like energy, food and other raw materials that may already be in short supply.
(e) There has been pollution of the environment as a result of tourism activities. The camp fires, vehicles that transport the tourists and the sewage from hotels all pollute the environment.
(f) Some tourist activities such as fishing sports and hunting lead to loss of animals.
(g) Forests often suffer negative impacts of tourism in the form of deforestation.
(i) Tourists disrupt the natural peace of wild animals.
(j) There are human diseases that attack wild animals especially the chimpanzees.
(k) There have been reports of animal attacks, snake bites and insect stings. These put the lives of the tourists at great risk.
(l) The tourism activities have influenced humans to control and regulate the existence of wildlife
(m) Tourism has encroached on the privacy of the local communities.
Activity 18.15
Work in pairs.
“Were it not for tourism, Rwanda would not be where it is.”
1. Discuss this statement in relation to the contribution of tourism to the development of world economies. 2. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
Activity 18.16
Work in pairs. Use the Internet and other sources of geographical information.
1. Find out the relationship between environmental conservation and tourism in relation to sustainable development in Rwanda. Use specific examples in Rwanda.
2. Write a report on your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Case studies
Activity 18.17
Work in groups of three. Choose one of the tourist attractions that are found in Rwanda and do the following:
1. Study and write down its operations.
2. Observe the environmental conservation measures that the facility has put in place to ensure sustainability.
3. Analyse the benefits of the attraction to both the region where it is located and to the country.
4. Analyse the problems associated with the attraction.
5. Write down your points and present them in a class presentation.
Task 18.2
1. Define tourism.
2. Name two forms of tourism.
3. List three tourist attraction sites in Rwanda.
Nyungwe National
Park Nyungwe National Park is one of the areas in Rwanda that has been demarcated for conservation and protection of wildlife. Nyungwe Forest is the biggest protected rainforest in the region. The National Park is composed of montane rainforests. It is estimated to cover an area of about 1000km2 . The highest elevation of Nyungwe National Park is at 3000 metres above sea level. Within the park the highest point is found at Mount Bigugu. The Nyungwe National Park is known for its variety of tourist attractions.
There are other tourist attractions found in Nyungwe Forest. They include L’Hoest’s monkeys, hiking and walking trails, canopy walk, orchids, butterflies, moths, bogs, swamps, waterfalls, bamboo trees, grasslands, old mahogany, ebony and giant fern trees. Nyungwe National Park is naturally home to 13 varying primate species, 1,068 plant species, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian species and 38 species of reptiles.
The park’s existence is under threat by fire outbreaks caused by honey harvesters, deforestation, agricultural encroachment, artisanal mining and poaching. Fortunately, the government has put measures in place to ensure that this is reversed.
Akagera National Park
This park is located in the Eastern region of Rwanda near the border with Tanzania. It is one of the oldest game parks in the country. It was established in 1934 to conserve and protect flora and fauna. The national park is composed of three main eco-regions that have varying attractions. They include the savanna grasslands, swamps and mountains. The park is known to be a natural habitat for birds. In fact, there are more than 500 bird species in park. The name Akagera was derived from the longest river in Rwanda that crosses the region. The river feeds various lakes such as Lake Ihema. Akagera National Park was greatly affected by human encroachment. This forced the authorities to cut out part of the land which they distributed to the returning refugees. The size of the park then reduced to 1,222 km2 from 2500km2 .
The park has a diversified terrain that is composed of rolling hills and lowlands. These are occupied by lakes and swampy areas. The highest elevation in the park stands at 2000 metres in the Mutumba Hills. The park is known for its various tourist attractions some of which include the following:
There is a variety of flora and fauna that are attractions in the park. There are also a host of activities. They include the following:
• Game viewing
• Helicopter flights over the park
• Camping
• Birding
• Boat riding
• Fishing sports
• Night game drives
The Akagera National Park is faced with various challenges. The greatest one being poaching. The wild animals are killed for meat, skin, ivory and tusks. The park is also under threat due to frequent fire outbreaks and deforestation. Trees are cut as people burn charcoal and others look for firewood. The land area of the park is also frequently being encroached on for agricultural use.
The management of the park has put measures to safeguard the wild game and fauna. It has for example, constructed the western boundary fence and re-introduced black rhinos and lions in the park. The anti-poaching police force has also been introduced in the park to provide security to both the tourists and animals.
Birunga National Park
The Birunga National Park is located in the northwest region of Rwanda. The park is also known as the Volcanoes National Park. It is connected to the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The establishment of Birunga National Park dates back to 1925 under King Albert I of Belgium.
This was part of the first African national parks known as the Birunga. The Birunga National Park is known for its mountain gorillas which are an endangered species. The Rwandan government has conserved and protected this habitat to ensure that the population of these endangered animals increases. This has been achieved through intervention measures such as the mountain gorilla naming locally known as “Kwita-Izina”.
The Birunga National Park sits on five of the eight volcanoes. They are the Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo Mountains. The mountains have rain and bamboo forests. The Birunga National Park is naturally endowed with tourist attractions that have placed it on the world map as the most wellconserved and protected environment and homeland to the mountain gorillas. The park also has the forest giraffe, African elephants and buffaloes.
Other tourist attractions include the following.
• Montane forests
• Equatorial and alpine vegetation
• Several caves that were formed as lava tubes
Tourist activities in the park include the following.
• Birding (bird watching)
• Gorilla tracking
• Mountain climbing
• Camping
The park is threatened by poaching and encroachment from neighbouring communities. Poachers from neighbouring countries especially the Democratic Republic of Congo kill elephants for their ivory and kidnap the young mountain gorillas for trafficking.
The government together with other international partners have created a team of professional game rangers to ensure that poaching and other human related threats are minimised in the park. This park is the major source of foreign exchange in the country. It contributes the greatest percentage of the tourism earnings in Rwanda.
Activity 18. 18
Work in groups of five. Your teacher will take you for a filed visit to one of the tourism attraction sites in the country.
1. While there, observe the state of the site in relation to environmental conservation.
2. Analyse its contribution to tourism with regard to the knowledge acquired on tourism.
3. Write a report on your findings and present it in class.
Did you know?
• Before the war, tourism was the third highest source of foreign currency in Rwanda.
• Human populations around Nyungwe live at some of the continent’s highest population densities—up to 200 people per square mile.
• The buffer zones surrounding much of the Nyungwe Forest have been planted with pines to generate income for local communities.
• The government of Rwanda encourages environmentally friendly activities such as mining and agriculture.
• Tourism is the main reason mountain gorillas still survive today in Rwanda.
Revision task
1. Define the following terms:
(a) Environment
(b) Conservation
(c) Deforestation
(d) Soil erosion
2. (a) Account for the occurrence of environmental degradation in Rwanda.
(b) Outline and explain the steps being taken to solve the environmental degradation problem in Rwanda.
3. (a) Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources in relation to Rwanda.
(b) With supportive examples from Rwanda, examine the measures being taken to conserve the renewable resources.
4. Discuss the causes of environmental degradation in Rwanda.
5. Examine the challenges experienced in the process of environmental conservation in Rwanda.
6. To what extent have physical factors been responsible for the development of tourism in Rwanda? Discuss.
7. “Tourism is a lucrative invisible export” justify this statement with reference to Rwanda.
8. Account for the development of the tourism industry in Rwanda.
9. Explain the significance of the tourism industry in Rwanda.
10. Examine the factors that have hindered the development of tourism in Rwanda and suggest possible solutions.
11. Explain the following in relation to Rwanda:
(a) Eco-tourism
(b) Sustainable utilisation of natural resourcesGlossary
Abiotic – physical factors not derived from living organisms. They include items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation.
Abitrary – based on random choice.
Adit – a horizontal passage leading into a mine for the purposes of access or drainage.
Agrarian – relating to agriculture and cultivation of land.
Amenities – a useful feature or facility of a building or place.
Analysis – a systematic examination and evaluation of data or information for interpretation Animal husbandry – the management and care of farm animals by humans for profit.
Artificial insemination – the deliberate introduction of sperm into a female’s uterus or cervix for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy by means other than sexual intercourse.
Artisanal mining – small scale mining.
Asylum – a place of retreat and security or shelter.
Automation –use of equipment in agricultural production processes.
Bait – food used to entice fish or other prey.
Balance of payment – the difference in total value between payments into and out of a country over a given period.
Balance of trade – the difference in value between a country’s imports and exports.
Bilateral trade – the exchange of goods between two countries.
Biodiversity - the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Birding – the observation of birds in their natural habitats as a hobby.
Blogging – the act of writing content that is posted on a blog or a web page that is a discussion or an informational site.
Bogs – an area having a wet, spongy, acidic substrate, composed of moss and peat in which shrubs and herbs and sometimes trees usually grow.
Buffer zone – an area of land designated for environmental protection.
Canning – a food preservation method in which cooked or uncooked food is sealed in a tin can sterilised by heat treatment under high pressure.
Fingerlings – a small young fish
Canopy – the cover formed by the leafy upper branches of the trees in a forest.
Canopy walk – walkways consisting of bridges between trees in the canopy of a forest. Cartesian coordinates – a coordinate system that specifies each point uniquely in a plane by a pair of numerical coordinates.
Choropleth maps – is a thematic map in which areas with the same characteristics are shaded. or patterned in the same way.
Civil unrest – disorder or protests caused by the citizens of a country due to their displeasure over something.
Contour maps – a mapthat shows elevations above sea level and surface features of the land by means of contour lines.
Crop husbandry – the cultivation and production of edible crops or animals for food.
Cuesta – a ridge with a gentle slope (dip) on one side and a steep slope (scarp) on the other. Cyperus denudatus – a species of aquatic plant that is used to make ropes.
Cyperus papyrus – is a species of aquatic flowering plant belonging to the sedge family.
Deciduous – of a tree or shrub that sheds its leaves annually.
Denudation – processes that cause the wearing away of the Earth’s surface leading to a reduction in elevation and relief of landforms and landscapes.
Devolve – to cause power, responsibility or resources to be given to other people.
Dredging – cleaning out the bed of a harbour, river, or other area of water by scooping out mud, weeds, and rubbish.
Ecosystem – a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Effluents – liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea.
Evapotranspiration – the combination of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth’s land and ocean surface to the atmosphere.
Expatriates – an individual living in a country other than their country of citizenship, often temporarily and for work reasons.
Export – goods produced in a country and sold to other markets outside the country.
Fallowing – ploughing land and leaving it unplanted for a season or a much longer time.
Feasibility – the state or degree or capability of being done or carried out.
Fodder – food, especially dried hay or feed, for cattle and other livestock.
Fossil fuel – buried deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals. They can be converted to crude oil, coal or natural gas by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust over hundreds of millions of years.
Fossils – plant and animal remains found in rocks.
Freight charges – a price at which a certain cargo is delivered from one point to another by a ship on sea. Genocide – the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
Geology – the study of the solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change.
Geomorphology – the branch of geology that studies the characteristics and configuration and evolution of rocks and land forms.
Global winds – a system of wind patterns distributing warm air unevenly across Earth.
Graben – an elongated block of the Earth’s crust lying between two faults and displaced downward relative to the blocks on either side, as in a rift valley.
Graticule - a network of lines representing meridians and parallels, on which a map or plan can be represented. Hamlet – a settlement that is smaller than a village.
Hatchery – a facility where eggs are hatched under artificial conditions, especially those of fish or poultry. Heavy manufacturing industries – These are very capital-intensive industries that require a lot of machinery and equipment to produce. They include industries such as oil, mining, shipbuilding, steel, chemicals and machinery manufacturing industries.
Heterogenous – not uniform in nature.
Homogenous – uniform or all of the same or similar kind or nature.
Hybrids – the offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties.
Hypothesis – an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation. It is the starting point for further investigations.
Impermeable – not allowing fluid or liquid to pass through.
Import – a good brought into a country from across a national border, from an external source.
Incentive – something that motivates or encourages one to do something.
Industrial inertia – describes a stage at which an industry prefers to run in its former location although the main alluring factors are gone. For example, the raw material source is depleted or an energy crisis has emerged.
Inland navigation – transportation by canals, rivers, and lakes.
Inland water bodies – sources of water that are found within a country. They include rivers, lakes and swamps.
Insolation – the amount of solar radiation reaching a given area.
Intensive – pertaining to a system of agriculture involving the cultivation of limited areas, and relying on the maximum use of labour and expenditures to raise the crop yield per unit area.
Interviewee – a person who answers questions in an interview.
Interviewer – a person who asks questions during an interview.
Jargon – the language, especially the vocabulary, used in a particular trade, profession or group.
Karst – landscape underlain by limestone that has been eroded by dissolution, producing ridges, towers, fissures, sinkholes, and other characteristic landforms.
Land consolidation – the reallocation of land parcels with the aim that the landowners obtain larger parcels at one or more places in exchange of their former smaller and fragmented land plots.
Landfill – a place to dispose of refuse and other waste material by burying it and covering it over with soil. Landlocked – a country that is almost entirely surrounded by land. It has no coastline or seaport.
Light manufacturing industries – These are industries that deal with the production of small consumer goods. They are not capital intensive and all the processes of production take place in one enclosed building.
Mass wasting – the process by which soil, sand and rock move down slope under the force of gravity, but frequently affected by water and water content as in submarine environments and mudslides.
Mondia whitei – a type of wetland herb. It is a climber that grows from a large tuberous rootstock. Monoculture – the cultivation of a single crop in a given area.
Montane – of or inhabiting the mountain.
Morphology – the form or shape of a feature or landscape.
Mortality rate – the number of deaths in a given area or period.
Multi lateral trade – the exchange of goods between three or more countries at once.
Navigation – the act of moving in a boat or ship over an area of water.
Non – porous- not permeable to water, air and other fluids.
Orchid – a plant with complex flowers that are typically showy.
Paddock – a small, usually enclosed field near a stable or barn for pasturing or exercising animals. Percolate – filter gradually through a porous surface or substance.
Phenomena – a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable.
Phoenix reclinata – is a species of flowering plant in the palm family native to tropical Africa.
Piscisculture – fish farming
Planktons – organisms that live in the water especially large bodies of water. They provide a crucial source of food to many aquatic organisms, such as fish and whales.
Ports – a habour; or a place where ships load and unload.
Power surge – an oversupply of voltage from the power company that can last for a short time. Precambrian – relating to the earliest eon which is a major division of geological time, subdivided into eras. Predators – an animal that naturally preys on others.
Prevailing winds – winds that blow predominantly from a single general direction over a particular point on the Earth’s surface.
Primate – any member of the group of mammals that includes human beings, apes, and monkeys.
Pull factor – a positive aspect or condition that motivates one to move into an area like a country or region in migration.
Radioactive – emitting or relating to the emission of ionising radiation or particles.
Reclamation – the process of getting something useful from waste.
Referendum – a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.
Rehabilitate – rebuild a feature back to its former state.
Rejuvenation – development of youthful features of the topography of a landscape.
Repatriation – sending back money or other property to your country of citizenship.
Respondents – a person who supplies information for a survey or questionnaire.
Rugged – (of ground or terrain) having a broken, rocky, and uneven surface.
Rugged relief – uneven land surface that has mountains, hills, valleys and other depressions.
Shaft – a long, narrow, typically vertical hole that gives access to a mine.
Silage – grass or other green fodder compacted and stored in airtight conditions used as animal feed.
Soil compaction – the method of increasing the density of the soil.
Spatial – relating to space.
Species – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other.
Spurs – a ridge or line of elevation projecting from or subordinate to the main body of a mountain or mountain range.
Statistical abstract – figures that describe the social and economic conditions of a state.
Strata – a layer.
Subsistence agriculture – self-sufficiency farming in which the farmers grow enough food to feed themselves and their families.
Suburb – an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city live. Tangent – a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point.
Tax holidays – a temporary reduction or elimination of a tax usually given by governments as incentives for business investment.
Temperate climate – the climatic conditions that are experienced in the areas that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere or between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle in the Southern Hemisphere. It has a warm climate in the summer, cold in the winter, and moderate in the spring and fall.
Terrain – the surface features of an area of land; topography.
Trade winds – a wind blowing steadily toward the equator from the northeast in the northern hemisphere or the southeast in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea.
Turbine – a machine for producing continuous power in which a wheel that is fitted with vanes is made to revolve by a fast-moving flow of water, steam, gas or air.
Undergrowth – a dense growth of shrubs and other plants, especially under trees in woodlands and forests.
Upland cultivation – cultivation of high elevation areas such as on hills.
Voltage – the specific amount of electricity available in a circuit.
Vossia cuspidate – a type of grass that is found in wetland areas and is commonly known as the hippo grass.
Water hyacinth – a free-floating water plant that is a serious weed of waterways.
Watersheds – an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas. Water table – the level below the ground which is saturated with water.
Westerly winds – a wind that blows from the west.
References
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18. Polenske, K. (ed) (2007) The Economic Geography of Innovation, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge
19. Republic of Rwanda: Ministry of Forestry and Mines, Natural Forestry Policy, May 2010
20. Rwanda Development Board Report (2015): Mining in Rwanda
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23. The travel guide for Rwanda: www.rwanda-direct .com (Source: Great Ape trust of IOWA).
24. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Tourism in Rwanda
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