Community-based conservation and livelihood enhancement around lake Kivu, Rwanda

This study assessed the role of community-based conservation practices in enhancing livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability around Lake Kivu, Rwanda. The objectives were to evaluate existing conservation practices, assess their impacts on community livelihoods and ecosystem health, and determine the relationship between conservation practices and livelihood outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating qualitative and quantitative data collected through observations, questionnaires, and interviews conducted between January 2023 and March 2024. A total of 399 respondents from sectors surrounding Lake Kivu in Rutsiro District were surveyed. The findings revealed that sustainable fishing, reforestation, water pollution control, and agroforestry were the primary conservation practices implemented in the area. More than 70% of respondents reported that these practices contributed positively to household income, access to clean water, healthcare services, and education. Furthermore, over 60% of respondents indicated that community benefits and incentive schemes motivated their participation in conservation activities. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression in SPSS version 28 to examine the influence of socio-demographic factors on participation in conservation practices, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study concluded that promoting sustainable practices such as sustainable fishing, reforestation, and pollution control can contribute to ecological restoration while enhancing income generation, food security, and community resilience. However, the study was limited to Rutsiro District, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings to other lakeshore regions. In addition, the reliance on self-reported data may have introduced social desirability bias.