1. Presented by: Majyambere Methode World Environmental Day UR, Huye campus 3 June 2015

2. Rationale The topic is a scientific opinion in the context of environmental safeguard and protected areas resources management The case study is Nyungwe National Park The base of my opinion is not a literature review, or any systematic research, but formed from critical observations Observations were also connected with research studies They inspired me with more thinking about the research intervention to be encouraged in the future

3. Rationale The problem is how people exploit natural resources in unsustainable ways, and have some negative behaviors; This threatens much vulnerable forest edges, protected area biodiversity, and depletes resources for the future. I sought causes in the framework of how community impacts near protected areas are managed The community might have enjoyed a kind of easygoing / laisser-faire/ lenient management This probably ended by obscuring their consciousness in sustaining their future livelihoods I would not term this poor management but rather maybe lack of sound strategies

4. Rationale Three periods comprised my observation and critical thinking: In 2009 when I was carrying out research on chimpanzees in Cyamudongo forest; In 2011-2012 when a MSc research was carried out at Uwinka in Nyungwe NP on small mammals; In 2013 at Gisakura I was involved in research as field assistant for assessing threats to chimpanzees

5. Case 1: Cyamudongo (2009) Take a while to understand from the picture 1)How young are these guys; 2) How steep is this zone And be aware that: i) This is not more than 15 m from the natural forest ii) There is a quarry for bricks abutting road This large amount of wood collected in about a minute

6. Case 2: Uwinka (2011-2012) Traps once used for small mammals are damaged for no gain Fallen pine tree is cut for wood even in 5 m from natural forest More alarming than this is the cutting of young trees (on rate, frequency, severity) as tutors in agriculture; NO picture available for it

7. Case 3: Gisakura (2013) Tea Cow grazing, leaving dung every where This side is the natural forest The natural forest Tea estate There was much more alarming than this near tea; Especially where there was much thicker vegetation and little space between tea and natural forest; HUMAN EXCREMENT/FECAL WASTE!!!!

8. Towards effectiveness There is no way to undermine strong efforts produced so far in terms of conservation status The situation is regarded as what I termed lenient management, or the laisser-faire, in regard to the community Was it from superficial analysis of the problem, poor monitoring, or just lack of awareness, all of these can be combined as issues of laisser-faire We know how this can lead to increase of ‘tragedy of the commons’ and increasing ‘ecological footprint’

9. Towards effectiveness With developing this theme I envision 2 complementary alternatives (they are assumptions): 1) being strict with the community regarding current trends and awareness of environmental issues can be an effective strategy 2) people can be sensitized to be more proactive rather than being reactive to challenges of which they have been source (Mutual collaboration = umwe aba ijisho rya mugenzi we aho ibintu byenda kugenda nabi)

10. Towards effectiveness This strategic management also emphasizes the nurture of environmental ethics. In Rwanda people are now quite aware of social ethics; they should quite easily understand the need for environmental ethics. They are trained and sensitized to be environmentally responsible, and build trust and hope for the future. It is of paramount importance to be proactive than reactive in face of current environmental challenges.