Akanyaru Watershed Protection Project

PROJECT SUMMARY: 
The Akanyaru Watershed Protection Project was launched in October 2014 and has introduced a range of environmental protection measures to increase the climate resilience of the watershed. The main interventions include building terraces and planting trees to prevent soil erosion and landslides, which used to silt the Akanyaru River and its tributaries.

Some of the results of the fund’s investment include:

• 10,000 people have been employed in green jobs
• 349.64 ha of radical terraces have been constructed (out of the targeted 800ha)
• 1,945 ha of progressive terraces, out of a targeted 4,000ha, have been constructed across eight sectors in Gisagara District

The buffer zone of Akanyaru River is being rehabilitated through the planting of bamboo trees on 28.38 ha and pennissetum on 31.46 ha
Two 150 cubic metre tanks are being constructed near Nyaruteja market to harvest rainwater generated from the market, which currently floods the surrounding area.
These interventions are enhancing the protection of the Akanyaru Watershed, controlling soil erosion and landslides in the area, as well as developing the community. The project employs local residents to construct terraces and plant trees. This has increased community ownership as well as improved their livelihoods through the income they earn from working on the project.

The Akanyaru Watershed project is one of nine district-led climate resilience investments made by Rwanda’s Fund for the Environment and Climate Change. The project directly supports more than 10,000 people through employment in conservation. The total investment by the fund in the project is Rwf 2,125,218,594 or US $2.8m out of a total project budget of Rwf 2,591,729,992 or around US $3.5m. The remainder of the funding comes from Gisagara District.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127716409@N05/albums/72157661422803555

FONERWA WINDOW/S: 
Window 1, Entry Point 1 (Ecosystem rehabilitation), Entry Point 2 (Sustainable land management), Entry Point 3 (IWRM)
KEY PROJECT OUTPUTS: 
Soil erosion control increased through the construction of terraces and trees planting in eight sectors of Gisagara District
Conservation and protection of the Akanyaru River and buffer zone strengthened
Rainwater harvesting tanks installed and utilised at the Nyaruteja Market
The project is efficiently managed
PARTNER INSTITUTION/S: 
Gisagara Modern Farmers Ltd (GIMODERNFA Ltd & CONSEP Ltd)

PROJECT TEAM: 
 

Noel Ndayishimiye
PROJECT MANAGER