Turning Nyagatare green again: How REMA’s National Adaptation Planning Project is reviving Umuvumba Forest

By Justin Kayiranga

Following four years of committed restoration efforts, the once-degraded Umuvumba Natural Forest is experiencing a remarkable revival, thanks to the National Adaptation Planning Process Project (NAP).

Initiated in November 2020, the project was designed to build Rwanda’s capacity to tackle climate change through long-term adaptation planning.

One of its key interventions has been the reforestation of Umuvumba Natural Forest, a vital upstream catchment area of the Umuvumba River, through the plantation of Acacia kirkii trees, commonly known as Imikinga.

Murenzi Samuel, Nyagatare District Officer in charge of environment and natural resources, attest that the forest had been severely threatened by human activities, where the inhabitants of this area considered this forest as a source for firewood collection and trees to make charcoal.

“Residents used to cut down trees in this forest and they would immediately turn the area into a farmland. There was even a place turned into a football field.” Samuel noted.

He further explained, “Thanks to NAP project by the Rwanda Environment Management Authoriy (REMA), we have successfully halted these activities and replanted trees in degraded areas.”

More than 140 hectares of the degraded area have been restored, with ongoing efforts to identify and rehabilitate additional affected areas revealed by the project management.

“What we did initially was to replant trees on these 140 hectares which are close to Nyagatare town center in order to provide clean and fresh air for those working and living in Nyagatare.” Niyitegeka Servand, NAP project DEO.

The vice mayor in charge of economic development in Nyagatare, Matsiko Gonzague, highlighted that the project has been beneficial to the district as it has strengthened climate resilience and also triggered the  integration of adaptation strategies into district development plans.

“Thanks to the project’s intervention we have managed to restore forests especially the plantation of Acacia Kirkii trees which are historically significant and native to this region. We aim to preserve them for future generations.” The vice Mayor said.

About NAP project

The national adaptation planning Process (NAP) Project is a five-year initiative designed to enhance the capacity of government authorities and local communities in Rwanda to plan, fund, implement and monitor climate change adaptation solutions in the medium to long-term.

This six million dollar project is being implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and is funded by the Global Environment Facility together with other partners including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Ministry of Environment, Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) among others.