A joint team lead by RWB, IUCN, District officials, and expert consultants conducted an assessment of landscape restoration works completed in the Muvumba and Nyabugogo Catchments as initiated by the former Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority (RWFA), currently the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB).
Photo: IUCN RWANDA
The main objective of the evaluation was to assess the progress of implementation of comprehensive land husbandry measures identified for the Early Implementation Project (EIP) in Muvumba (Nyagatare District) and Nyabugogo (Gicumbi District) Demonstration Catchment Area. In Muvumba catchment, the evaluation looked at all established soil conservation measures such as land husbandry measures, riverbanks protection, afforestation on open lands and initial scattered forests, progressive terraces associated with Agroforestry on cropland, rain water harvesting systems and trenches in dense forests.
In Nyabugogo, the evaluation looked at land husbandry measures, afforestation associated with trenches, agroforestry on agricultural lands especially on existing radical terraces, riverbank protection and rainwater harvesting tanks. At field level, different measures that have been implemented across the area of intervention were sampled and checked.
A combination of random and deliberate Stratified Sampling Method was used. The minimum sample size was 20% of the actual work completed. Samples were stratified based on major activities. Area polygons and line data were taken from the reported shape file, their accuracy checked by GPS, then the evaluation looked at input data exported to arc GIS for analysis. Besides the sampled areas, visual inspection and observation were used to check quality of work done in terms of spacing, dimension and density depending on intervention type.
Photo: IUCN RWANDA
The measurements and observations were completed by a survey to check the acceptability, ownership, impacts and sustainability of implemented activities. Needed information was collected using semi-structured questionnaires for key informants’ mainly local authorities and farmers beneficiaries. Results show that the quality of implemented interventions is good especially afforestation, rainwater harvesting and riverbank stabilization.
Agroforestry trees and shrubs have been planted on existing radical terraces and plastic tanks and metallic gutters with all accessories have been supplied and installed for rainwater harvesting and runoff control. Observations made showed that all technical specifications were met.
A short survey on acceptability, ownership and the impact of measures carried out on community livelihoods showed that local leaders and farmers appreciated the work done and the positive impact on soil erosion control and environmental management. Implemented land husbandry measures have created employment opportunities for the local population. In near future, farmers are expecting to increase income from the planted forests, fruit trees and other services generated by agroforestry in their farms.
