Assessment of the Impact of Community-Based Conservation Interventions to Biodiversity Conservation Around Protected Areas: Case of Nyungwe National Park

Community-based conservation interventions significantly enhance biodiversity protection around Nyungwe National Park (NNP), Rwanda, by fostering positive behavioral changes and reducing illegal activities. A strong correlation coefficient of 0.942 indicates that these interventions effectively shape local attitudes toward conservation. Between 2021 and 2023, illegal activities spiked due to increased efforts to monitor them, but a marked decline occurred in 2024—likely attributed to community engagement. Notably, 56.3% of snares (3,848) were uprooted by community eco-rangers during joint patrols with park rangers. The study recommends scaling up community involvement, income-generating projects, and environmental education to sustain these gains. Conducted through questionnaires and Earth Ranger data analysis, the research highlights the critical role of local communities in combating biodiversity threats.

Ndikuryayo, D., & Kant, K. J. (2025). Assessment of the Impact of Community-Based Conservation Interventions to Biodiversity Conservation Around Protected Areas: Case of Nyungwe National Park. East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 8(1), 219–224. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajenr.8.1.2904