Promoting conservation through ecotourism development and livelihoods improvement in Banda Village, Rwanda

Project Summary:

The overarching goal behind the Kageno eco-tourism project is to promote conservation efforts in and around Nyungwe Forest National Park through the development of ecotourism attractions with socio-economic elements that improve livelihoods of people living in the area. The project consists of four different, but interconnected components.

Project Components:

• Eco-lodge development and construction
• Crafts development and quality improvement
• Agriculture training and environmental awareness activities
• Ecotourism attractions development and related socio-economic activities development

The project takes a holistic approach to the development of the various components in three phases.

The success of each component is dependant upon on the success of the project as a whole. For example, the eco-lodge attracts the tourists to the forest, gives the tourists a place to stay, increases the duration of their stay and provide business and job opportunities to neighboring communities. The crafts project not only provides quality products for the visitors to purchase, thus economically supporting the artisans, but also preserves traditional art & culture, increases pride and improves living standards… all while enhancing the touristic experience.

The agricultural component of the project provides farmers with improved, conservation friendly techniques, while also diversifying locally available crops. Through crop diversification efforts, a larger variety of nutritional vegetables will improve the diets of the Banda villagers as well as provide the produce for guest meals at the lodge.

The development of ecotourism attractions is one of the most important components of the project in that without promoting and protecting this national treasure, there will be no tourist experience. With the new interpretive center under construction we hope that the services and recreational options available will provide a more robust experience for visiting tourists, thus leading to an increase in the number of visitors to the forest which will, in turn, increase awareness of conservation efforts while bringing jobs and income to the villagers. Providing villagers with jobs and educating them on the importance of preserving biodiversity and habitats will, in turn, reduce poaching and unsustainable destruction of the forest by providing alternative sources of income.

The first phase consisted of:

• Planning and mapping the site for the eco-lodge
• Construction of Uwinka Interpretive Center
• Craft design development and quality improvement training on new designs
• Village Walk attraction development (5 attractions identified and improvements made)
• Agriculture training (50 farmers trained)
• Hospitality training for eco-lodge staff
• Product development (soap and candles)

The second phase will consist of:

• Phase 1 construction of the eco-lodge
• Craft design development and quality improvement training on new designs
• Opening of the Uwinka Interpretive
• Placement of all products from Banda at Uwinka
• Development of promotional material for Banda attractions

The third phase will consist of:

• Phase 2 construction and opening of the eco-lodge
• Village Walk in operation
• All products being sold at Uwinka
• Tourists visiting Banda for eco-lodge and local attractions

Measureable Impacts:

Through the development and construction of the eco-lodge the local population will benefit from the following:

• Creation of jobs through construction, employment and small businesses created to supply the lodge
• Improved health and sanitation through awareness campaign
• Develop a sense of pride in the community and the forest
• Increase in revenue flow coming into the village through the lodge guests
• Increase in conservation efforts among the local, regional and international population

Through craft development and quality improvement component Banda and ultimately - Nyungwe forest - will benefit from:

• Income generated through the sale of crafts to tourists
• Creation of jobs through craft making
• Improved products to be sold at the Uwinka Interpretive Center
• Improve techniques and set conservation friendly standards for craft production
• Increased interest in the conservation efforts in and around Nyungwe

Through the agricultural training and environmental awareness activities the following benefits will be realized:

• Increase in locally available crops
• More nutritional crops provided for local consumption
• Train local farmers in improved, conservation friendly agricultural techniques
• Importance of conservation will be raised among the local population

Through the development of ecotourism attractions the following benefits will be realized:

• Local goods will have market access
• Visitors will learn more about the communities surrounding Nyungwe
• Visitors will learn about and support conservation efforts
• Attractions will generate income to stimulate the local economy
• Provide positive experience to visitors and hosts communities
• Biological resources of Nyungwe Forest National Park will be better appreciated leading to better management practices local communities and government agencies