coeb quarterly newsletter - acnr-rwanda...our focal person nathan kabanguka, a lecturer at this...
TRANSCRIPT
1
In Rwanda, weaknesses
in scientific and re-
search capabilities in
environment and natural
resources still exist.
Conscious of this fact,
H.E. President Paul Ka-
game, President of the
Republic of Rwanda
recommended establish-
ing a Center of Excel-
lence in biodiversity
and natural resources
for the Albertine Rift
region during the ‘1st
Intl Research Confer-
ence on Biodiversity &
Sustainable Manage-
ment of Natural Re-
sources’ held July 2007
in Kigali. This was the
beginning of the CoEB.
Support from UNESCO
facilitated stakeholder
meetings, institutional anal-
yses, and development of a
strategic plan. The Center
aims to address limited sci-
entific knowledge and re-
search capacity in Rwanda
for biodiversity, and limited
linkages between science
and national development
strategies by bringing insti-
tutions and people together
for the common cause of
biodiversity conservation
and sustainable manage-
ment. The CoEB creates
collaborative opportunities
to meet shared goals for
biodiversity among stake-
holders.
Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural
Resources Management (CoEB), Rwanda
Brief overview of the
CoEB
CoEB Creation
How does CoEB function
CoEB Structure
CoEB achievements
CoEB Activities
Participated in International
Conference on Geospatial
Technologies for Sustaina-
ble Urban and Rural Devel-
opment, 16-20 November
Training Workshop with
RNCEAR on Indigenous
knowledge for biodiversity con-
servation and Remote sensing
for tropical forest monitoring
using CLASlite, 16-20 June
2015
East Africa Community
National Observatory En-
gagement Workshop orga-
nized by IUCN, 10 Decem-
ber 2015
V o l N o 1 , 2 0 1 6
F e b r u a r y , 2 0 1 6
CoEB Quarterly Newsletter
CoEB structure, mission & goal 2
CoEB node news 2
CoEB partner news 2
CoEB updates and Biodiversity news
3
Recent Publications 3
Interview with a hero 3
MSc and PhD students’ views 4
Cooperation for Cooperation for
biodiversity and biodiversity and
resource resource
managementmanagement
2
V o l N o 1 , 2 0 1 6 R w a n d a ’ s b i o d i v e r s i t y h e r i t a g e
We appreciate how the KCCEM is
promoting sustainable conservation
through education and training; they
are providing a large number of
park rangers with professional train-
ing skills.
This college is developing a plastic
green house where they will culti-
vate orchids. The college is also
planning to develop a butterfly
house for sustainable conservation
of Rwanda’s fauna and flora.
The CoEB is committed to collabo-
rate with its nodes to ensure sus-
tainable management of the re-
gion’s rich biodiversity.
Kitabi College of Conservation Envi-
ronmental Management (KCCEM)
KCCEM is one of our nodes. It is an
academic training institution located on
the outskirt of Nyungwe National Park,
Rwanda. This institution aims to develop
capacity in Conservation and Environ-
mental Management in Rwanda and the
wider Albertine Rift Region.
The CoEB visited this node and met with
our focal person Nathan Kabanguka, a
lecturer at this college.
CoEB Structure
The CoEB is composed of a central
Hub hosted at University of Rwan-
da, Huye Campus in the College of
Science & Technology, and Nodes
accommodated by research and
higher learning institutions and rele-
vant NGOs in Rwanda.
CoEB mission
To enhance knowledge of biodiver-sity and natural resource manage-ment for sustainable development.
CoEB Goal
To encourage, enable and support stakeholders to generate and apply knowledge on biodiversity and nat-ural resources for sustainable devel-opment
Bringing people and institutions to-
gether to understand and sustainably
manage biodiversity and natural re-
sources in Rwanda
linked to biodiversity conserva-
tion/traditional handicrafts, and
hey are making products which
contribute to Rwanda’s eco-
nomic development towards
EDPRSII and Vision 2020.
Institute of National Museums
Rwanda (INMR)
The CoEB visited the Ethnographic
museum in the Department of Tra-
ditional Training Center where we
met with women’s cooperatives for
weaving, beading, ceramics and
post card-making.
The CoEB appreciates how this
institution contributes to youth edu-
cation through handcraft training
which they offer to young women
who have left school. Those wom-
en are improving their livelihoods
Albertine Rift Conservation Society
(ARCOS)
ARCOS is contributing to the sustainable
conservation of fauna and flora at regional
and national level. This institution has an
education program called “Turaco kids”
which teaches young children how and why
to conserve fauna. Through collaboration
and partnership with various institutions at
national and regional level, ARCOS is con-
ducting projects in line with sustainable
biodiversity conservation and natural re-
sources management.
CoEB node news
CoEB structure, mission and goal
CoEB partner news
3
V o l N o 1 , 2 0 1 6
Dawson N, and Martin A. 2015. As-
sessing the contribution of ecosystem
services to human wellbeing: A dis-
aggregated study in western Rwanda.
Ecological Economics. 117: 62-72.
Fischer E, and Thiel C. 2015. New and
note worthy records of Liverworts
(Marchantiopsida) and Hornworts
(Anthocerotopsida) for Rwanda. Nova
Hedwigia. 100: 3-4, 525-534.
Gatali C, and Wallin K. 2015. Bird
diversity in the savanna habitats of
Akagera National Park, Rwanda, in
the post-war recovery period. Journal
of African Ornithology. 86: 3, 267-
276.
Killmann D. 2015. A new species and
new records of Dorstenia (Moraceae,
Dorstenieae). From Rwanda, East
Africa. Phytotaxa. 212: 3, 213-220.
Bidzilya, OV. 2015. Armatophallus gen.
n., a new genus of gelechiid moths
(Lepidoptera Gelechiidae) from the
Afrotropical and oriental regions.
Zootaxa. 3981: 3, 413-429.
Boxnick A, Apio A, Wronski T, and
Hausdorf B. 2015. Diversity patterns of
the terrestrial snail fauna of Nyungwe
Forest National Park (Rwanda), a Pleis-
tocene refugium in the heart of Africa.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Soci-
ety. 114: 2, 363-375.
Biodiversity Club creation
The CoEB visited Groupe Scolaire
de Zivu in Musha Sector,
GISAGARA District, Southern
Province and discussed the im-
portance of biodiversity for sus-
tainable livelihoods and the coun-
try’s development. The same day, a
new club: ” Club for Biodiversity
Conservation” was created and a
committee elected. We are appreci-
ating how this club is contributing
to biodiversity conservation aware-
ness raising in this school and re-
gion in general.
Gishwati-Mukura forest became a
fourth National Park.
Due to its ecological and economi-
cal importance, including four spe-
cies of primates: eastern chimpan-
zee, golden monkey, blue monkey, and
l’hoesti’s monkey (also known as
mountain monkey) this forest has been
established as Rwanda’s fourth Na-
tional Park. “It will not only help in
terms of improving biodiversity and
nature conservation but will also play
a key part in increasing our tourism
revenues”, Minister Biruta said.
Waterbirds diversity and abundance
in Rwanda
From 22-29 January2016, Birding &
Educational Tours LTD coordinated
water bird counting with REMA,
RDB, ARCOS, ACNR and the CoEB.
The survey provides scientific infor-
mation for sustainable wetland man-
agement and waterbird population pro-
tection.
and plants are being neglected.
CoEB: As president and founder of
Rwanda Young Birdwatchers initia-
tives, tell us where this initiative came
from and your objective?
Narcisse: After seeing how biodiversity
is being destroyed I though that youth
can be the main tool for biodiversity
conservation awareness raising. Our
objective was to raise the level of under-
standing of biodiversity conservation
and its importance.
CoEB: What are your achievements?
Narcisse: This club brought many
solutions. For example at Gisakura for-
est, some parents used to send children
in the forest for firewood collection,
pasture collection and others but cur-
In line with our mission, the CoEB inter-
viewed RDB guide Mr Narcisse
Ndayambaje who initiated birdwatching
clubs in 3 Provinces of the Country.
CoEB: Can you tell us your professional
background?
Narcisse: I am working at Rwanda Devel-
opment Board (RDB) as a guide since these
past 20 years. I worked with Akagera Na-
tional Park, Volcanoes National Park, since
2007 I work at Nyungwe National Park.
CoEB: How do you see the state of biodi-
versity conservation in Rwanda?
Narcisse: In my point of view, I can say
that in Rwanda biodiversity is conserved at
49%. Many habitats are being destroyed
like wetlands while these host many spe-
cies. The other issue is that small animals
Some Recent Publications about Biodiversity in Rwanda (let us know if you would like a pdf of an article)
CoEB updates and Biodiversity in the news
Interview with a Hero
rently the forest is well protected since chil-
dren know well its importance. The same case
at Kivu and Muhazi Lakes because we created
clubs there too.
CoEB: How do you think the CoEB can help?
Narcisse: We wish that the CoEB can provide
capacity building trainings so that these chil-
dren could become local tourism guides.
CoEB: What do you think is the most im-
portant issue for biodiversity conservation in
Rwanda today?
Narcisse: Poverty reduction/alleviation and
increase the level of understanding of biodi-
versity conservation and its importance.
CoEB: Thank you so much for your time
Narcisse: Thank you for your initiative to-
wards biodiversity conservation sustainability.
White-winged Tern observed at Rweru Lake
Little Egret recorded at Mugesera Lake
4
Bernadette Arakwiye did her MSc in Environmental
Studies at Antioch University New England, USA, and
is doing her PhD studies at Clark University, USA. Her
PhD research is focused on Monitoring forest cover to
assess sustainable restoration areas in Rwanda. As
scientist and role model for other Rwandan women,
Bernadette wishes to contribute to biodiversity conserva-
tion sustainability after her studies. She wants to focus
on research related to biodiversity and conservation in the Albertine Rift biodi-
versity hotspot. She also wishes to contribute to education at the University
level by giving courses related to biodiversity conservation.
Asked how she sees the state of biodiversity conservation in Rwanda, Berna-
dette said that it is not easy to answer because available biodiversity infor-
mation is fragmented, dated or hidden in some research institutions (not dis-
seminated to the public). She gave the example that while reports show the
mountain gorilla population is increasing, it is not easy to get information of
population dynamics for other taxa or biodiversity indicators due to limited
information sharing or availability. Bernadette suggested that we still have
gaps in biodiversity conservation where for example some areas are under or
not explored like biodiversity in urban areas.
Bernadette is grateful there are a great number of people involved in biodiver-
sity conservation in Rwanda but she suggested that limited information sharing
among institutions may hinder real progress. Asked the most urgent activity to
be conducted for biodiversity conservation sustainability, Bernadette said that
updating Rwanda’s biodiversity knowledge/ information is needed. This infor-
mation must be shared at all levels including local communities, and youth
should be trained to insure the sustainability and safety of Rwanda’s current
and future biodiversity conservation. Bernadette closed by recommending the
CoEB consolidate biodiversity information so that all conservationists and
scientists in general know the current state, trends, and gaps to be filled by
more research.
Activities ahead
Official launch
Staff Hiring
Biodiversity calendar 2016 launch
Grant proposal writing to fund biodiversity activities
Launch of our Education Program Curriculum
…………………………………………………………..
Do you have a story or item to share with us? Please do not hesitate to contact us and we will include it in an issue of Rwanda’s Biodiversity Heritage. Contact us at
one of these addresses!
Unity makes strength!
Bringing people and institutions together to understand and sustainably manage biodiversity and natural re-sources in Rwanda.
The CoEB is committed to collaborating with its Nodes to ensure sustainable management of the region’s rich
How to reach us? University of Rwanda/ Huye Campus, in CGIS building, across from Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda (formerly National Museum of Rwanda).
Post Box 512 Butare
Website:
www.coebiodiversity.wordpress.com
Email: [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter: @CoErwanda
Tel: +250784461316
CoEB Newsletter issue No 1, 2016
Different perspectives of biodiversity conservation
in Rwanda MSc and PhD students’ views
This section was developed through survey questions given to current and
recent PhD/ MSc holders and students. In each issue we will highlight 2
new people.
Jean de Dieu Uwizelimana, a lecturer at University of
Rwanda, College of Science and Technology in Biology
Department, Zoology and Conservation Option shared
with Rwanda’s Biodiversity Heritage newsletter his
views on the state of Rwanda’s biodiversity conservation.
He did his MSc in Biodiversity Conservation at Universi-
ty of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology in
Biology Department on Prevalence of gastrointestinal
parasites in baboon population (Papio anubis) of Nyungwe National
Park, Rwanda.
According to Jean de Dieu, Rwanda has put effort in establishing some
policies regarding biodiversity conservation in general, but it seems that
only biodiversity within protected and/or reserve areas are considered while
unprotected areas seem to be neglected or forgotten. He wishes to contrib-
ute in this gap through teaching, seminars, and talks on biodiversity and its
importance for both natural ecosystems and human health and welfare.
Asked the most urgent issue that biodiversity is facing in Rwanda, Jean de
Dieu said that misuse and/or overexploitation of natural resources in re-
sponse to high population demands are affecting biodiversity. He gave the
example of the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in wetlands.
Cooperation for Cooperation for
biodiversity and biodiversity and
resource managementresource management