The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Akagera National Park are looking into the feasibility of engaging communities to establish private nature reserves outside the park to foster community access and awareness about wildlife.

According to Fiston Ishimwe, in charge of park and community engagement, aquatic animals and manageable herbivorous animals, including zebras and antelopes, among others, are some of the wildlife that can be found in the private conservancy area.

A conservancy area is a designated area of land that is protected and managed to preserve its natural environment and wildlife.

Ishimwe said involving the local community in conservation efforts and creating a sense of ownership and pride in preserving wildlife and natural resources is part of nurturing the park’s constituency area, which also includes buffer zones.

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He said: "We have had a few people, especially ranch owners near the park and enthusiasts of conservation development, inquire about creating a conservation area outside the park. We are looking into what manageable animals can be introduced into the proposed conservation area. Zebras, antelopes, snakes, and aquatic animals have a chance to be tamed in the private wilderness. It will be like a mini-park.”

In Rwanda, according to Articles 9, 11, and 14 of the law that proposes the establishment of national parks, natural reserves, and buffer zones, ownership rights to wildlife are vested in the state. However, an individual may be granted a right of use by the provisions of the law. A Ministerial Order determines the modalities of granting ownership rights to wildlife.

Residents near Akagera National Park told The New Times that the establishment of a private conservancy area outside the park will increase the number of local wildlife tourists.

Jonas Rugwiro, a resident in Mwili sector in Kayonza District, said, "I am 24 years old, but I have never seen a wild animal because I cannot afford the fees the park charges to visit wildlife. But if there is a cheaper place for us to visit these animals, I am sure many will love visiting the places.”

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Globally, there is growing recognition of the role of communities and private protected areas in the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Promoting sustainable use of natural resources for social and economic benefits to local communities, integrating cultural approaches, and maintaining a balanced relationship between humans and nature boosts the wildlife ecosystem, but also increases the socio-economic development of host communities.

Ishimwe expects that with sustainable use of conservancy areas, the areas can generate income for the local population, create employment opportunities, enhance socio-economic development, and also contribute towards the park’s agenda of biodiversity conservation.