The launch of the programme“Supporting Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Protection for Po-poor Green Growth” (SERPG) took place on 2nd October 2014, in Ndago cell, Rusarabuye sector, in Burera District.

This new programme aims at providing assistance to the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) towards achieving its statutory mandate of identifying and restores fragile ecosystems. It is also aligned with Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II), the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, Vision 2020 and commitments to the Convention on Biodiversity. The programme supports innovative approaches to restore and conserve fragile island and wetland ecosystems, promote the sustainable management of natural resources and support livelihood diversification to enhance household income and reduce the number of people dependent on subsistence agriculture.

On the 2nd October, UNDP Rwanda, REMA and local authorities joined residents of Ndago Cell in Burera district in community work“Umuganda”, and this joint activity registered some achievements namely, terracing  trees plantation and establishment of a demarcation line in the buffer zone of lakeshores. At the end of this umuganda, there was a session between authorities and local citizens in which the citizens were sensitized on the role they should keep on playing in building sustainable development by protecting environment.   

This umuganda was a kick off for many more activities planned for SERPG, amongst others there is rehabilitation and protection of degraded and fragile ecosystems on 1650 ha, construction of green villages (332 houses) in Musanze, Burera, Bugesera and Rusizi, supply of biogas, solar panel and rainwater harvesting tanks to 375 households and support income generation sub projects through 50 formed cooperatives.

Amongst delivered speeches, the Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Dr. Rose Mukankomeje highlighted the importance of protecting lake Burera by combating erosion and conserving the overall environment. She requested the residents of Ndago cell to always work together with the local authorities, and other partners to protect the environment as it is a source of livelihood and income.

“We came here today to express our solidarity and ambitions to work together to preserve our natural resources. Our soil is no longer productive as it used to be. We are therefore required to work hard on protecting this soil and our forests. The accomplished activities are yours and for you; we are here to support you” Dr. Mukankomeje said.

UNDP Country Director ai, Dr. Amata S. Diabate, who was among guests of honor mentioned in her speech: “it is a pleasure to support activities that strengthen the local communities capacity and to work on programme that residents are directly benefiting from.

The Government of Rwanda considers sustainable management of environment and natural resources, as the key pillars of achieving economic transformation and development of the country. It is in this framework that UNDP supports this programme which builds on the results and successes achieved by the previous UNDP supported programs such as Decentralization and Environment Management (DEMP I & II) as well as Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI I& II).

Residents of Ndago Cell have embraced the new programme and attested that it has been a month that the project has started but during this short time, they have seen the impacts. 400 residents living by the shores of the Lake Burera are earning each 1000 Rwandan Francs a day for constructing terraces.

“Protecting the lake is for our own good, protecting the water that is in that lake is important because that is how we protect the fish and other living species which will later give us some income. In addition, this lake brings tourists, and gives electricity...all this explains why water is important””, Hafashimana Olivier said, Ndago cell resident.

The SERPG programme is co- funded by the Environment and Climate Change Fund (FONERWA) and UNDP.