Abstract:
This research presents a case study on perceptions of local people on
the use of Nyabrongo river wetland and its conservation in Rwanda. It
critically examines the potential implications of a shift in wetland use
and management practices for local people and presents empirical
data from a household survey, group discussions, and observations
from transect walks. Results showed that the change in the use and
management regime of Nyabarongo river wetland poses substantial
loss for local people in terms of provision of resources, income, and
access to the wetland, so that the majority of the participants are not
happy with the current use of the wetland. Research concluded that
there should be participation of all stakeholders, including local
people, during policy development in order to shift from command-
and-control toward local stakeholder integration in decision making.
