Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), in February 2024, embarked on activities to rehabilitate five degraded wetlands to turn them into ‘recreational areas’ in the City of Kigali.

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The wetlands include Kibumba (68 ha), Nyabugogo (131 ha), Rugenge-Rwintare (65 ha), Rwampara (65 ha) and Gikondo (162 ha).

The main objectives of the five wetlands rehabilitation projects include enhancement of the city’s landscape and development of recreational activities, flood mitigation, improvement of wetlands’ biodiversity, and water quality improvement.

ALSO READ: How Rwanda is faring in wetlands restoration

The wetlands will be turned into recreational areas like the Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-tourism Park.

Martine Uwera, Programme Manager of the Environmental Mainstreaming and Biodiversity Management Programme at Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), told The New Times that at least 300 youth volunteers have been deployed to inform residents about the upcoming wetland rehabilitation, its environmental benefits, and positive impact on livelihoods and well-being.

The youth community will also remove plastic waste and other types of waste from the degraded wetlands as the government moves to the next phase of restoration.

"The main activities that are carried by the volunteers include raising awareness on the importance of wetland conservation among the youth, wetlands users, and other neighbouring local communities surrounding the wetlands, daily inspection and monitoring of new activities that are emerging in the selected wetlands, and, advising people to halt agriculture activities or any other illegal activity.

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"Furthermore, through raising awareness, they will identify locations where plastics, debris, or items were dumped and will be collected from the wetlands,” she said.

Uwera mentioned that over 16 activities, including agriculture, industrial development, fuel stations, sand extraction, and others, were still present in the wetlands. "Early community involvement is crucial for the project’s long-term success.”

The rehabilitation of these degraded wetlands could directly and indirectly benefit 220,500 people in flood-prone areas, and at risk of water crises, given that wetlands degradation and pollution have significantly impacted water quality and quantity.

Rehabilitated wetlands will provide critical ecosystem services that preserve water supply infrastructures and avoid silting water bodies.

Wetland rehabilitation plays various roles in maintaining and enhancing water supply by filtering and purifying water through the sediment traps that will be installed in the outlets of drainages coming from the hillside.

The sediment traps will control the pollutants, sediments, and debris which will lead to cleaner and healthier water.

ALSO READ: Wetland degradation undermines water supply

The plants and microorganisms that will be introduced in wetlands break down contaminants, leaving the water purified and usable.

"The wetlands act like sponges, absorbing and storing excess water during flood periods and slowly releasing it during dry spells. This natural regulation of water flow prevents floods and ensures a steadier supply of water throughout the year,” she explained.

How the five wetlands will look like

According to Uwera, each wetland has its uniqueness. However, she said, there are actions approved for all five wetlands on about 500 hectares that could cost $80 million (approx. Rwf102 billion).

They include facilities that will control floods, improve water storage in the wetlands, trap the sediments from hillsides, introduce the aesthetic nature-based hydraulic structure, and improve the functionality of wetlands.

"They also include landscaping actions which involve the entire landscaping and levelling of the wetlands, planting of various species to enhance biodiversity and public space actions which include the recreation facilities for the community.”

The project will create an urban park in Gikondo with a river, accessible for various activities including income-generating activities.

ALSO READ: Is Gikondo recreational park finally coming to life?

There will be facilities to end floods affecting infrastructure, and natural treatment of stormwater at all outlets of drains.

Proposed activities in the area also include a visitors’ centre, built from sustainable materials, situated at the entrance to the wetlands to provide information on wetlands habitats and their conservation to raise awareness and draw the public.

Observation decks for watching wildlife and photography will be installed near ponds and riversides.

Proposed activities, moreover, include light poles to ensure safety, sports grounds (football, volleyball, basketball), outdoor gym circuits, active play areas for children, economic activities such as bike rental kiosks, food kiosks, events areas, crafts and souvenirs kiosks, renting of sports grounds, food courts/snack areas, landscaped areas with benches, greenery, water ponds, and a cultural events amphitheatre, among others.

The activities include the creation of a circuit of pedestrian and cycling routes.

It is recommended that all pedestrian paths are flat and equipped with benches every 500 metres so that the entire site is easily accessible for all.

Bridges will be installed at strategic crossings to provide wide access to the wetlands.

Rwampara wetland with a river inside will also have facilities to end floods and the project will create a circuit of pedestrian and cycling routes.

Its rehabilitation will increase the richness of water-dependent species of birds, amphibians, and plants.

Minor developments of paths and trails will facilitate access to wetland-compatible recreational activities in designated areas of Rugenge-Rwintare and Kibumba wetlands. Developers will also create small lakes in some of these wetlands.

Nyabugogo wetland will have facilities to curb floods affecting infrastructure such as roads, creation of a lake and a waterfront to improve the city’s landscape, recreation of the natural profile of the river downstream, natural treatment of stormwater at all outlets of urban drains, and increase in the richness of water-dependent species of birds, amphibians and plants with an increased attractiveness for flagship bird species.

The project will see a reduction of coverage of the water hyacinth in the large pond in Nyabugogo.

About 1,500 ha of wetlands set for tourism and recreation

Under the Kigali City Wetland Master Plan, 3,888 hectares are reserved for conservation. Some other 3,851 hectares of wetlands are for sustainable use, and the remaining 1,421 hectares of wetlands are for tourism and recreation.

The implementation of the Kigali City wetland master plan would generate over $155 million annually, according to a study, dubbed "Economics of Kigali City Wetland Ecosystem Services”, which was carried out by Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) in partnership with IUCN and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

There are about 37 interconnected wetlands in Kigali City with a total area of about 9, 160 hectares or about 12.5 per cent of the city’s land mass.

The cumulative economic benefits of the ecosystem services in the Kigali City wetland complex over the next 30 years are valued at slightly above US$ 2 billion with the effective implementation of the wetland master plan.