Parks’ Governance and Management in Rwanda: Opportunities and Challenges of the Community Participation for a Sustainable Conservation - Case Study of Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe National Park's conservation efforts, while benefiting local communities through tourism revenue sharing and income-generating activities, face challenges in achieving sustainable participation. Despite procedural involvement—such as job opportunities, loans, and market-oriented productions—the study reveals a persistent top-down management model that limits true community empowerment. Misunderstandings about funding mechanisms and slow mindset shifts hinder deeper engagement, though socio-economic incentives have reduced illegal activities like poaching (except for crop damage). The research, based on qualitative interviews with stakeholders, highlights the gap between Rwanda's community-based conservation goals and its implementation in state-controlled parks.

Umuziranenge, G. (2019). Parks’ Governance and Management in Rwanda: Opportunities and Challenges of the Community Participation for a Sustainable Conservation - Case Study of Nyungwe National Park. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 7(2), 61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20190702.13