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MainDB: Maintenance of hydropower potential in Rwanda through ecosystem restoration

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Title

Maintenance of hydropower potential in Rwanda through ecosystem restoration

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National/public entity

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Africa

Scope of work

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Good practices and lessons learned

The factors leading to Rwanda’s 2004 electricity crisis and the multiple actions taken by the government in response offer a number of lessons for energy security and for adaptation decision making.

One of these lessons is the value of an integrated approach to solving complex problems. Restoring the Rugezi-Bulera-Ruhondo watershed required interlinked efforts to address ecological, social, economic, and cultural issues, which were complemented by the electricity sector’s efforts to improve its performance and management. The cooperation of ministries and actors on the national, district, and local levels also was important.

Although Rwanda’s policies and actions were not explicitly designed to do so, improving the health and function of the Rugezi-Bulera-Ruhondo watershed should make the country more resilient to climate change. Land use management practices that minimize soil erosion and protect sensitive ecosystems often are critical to reducing vulnerability to climate shocks and stresses.

Finally, this case study points to the potential for trade-offs between short- and long-term adaptation goals, as well as the need for intermediary measures to mitigate adverse short-term impacts on local populations.

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Activities

Initial measures involved the creation of a policy halting on-going drainage activities in the Rugezi Wetlands and banning agricultural and pastoral activities within and along its shores. These response measures, however, also meant that rural households in the region were no longer able to access key resources, adversely affecting the productivity of their livelihoods.

Subsequently, a programme of agricultural and watershed management measures was implemented to offset the initial adverse impacts of their watershed protection policies. This included construction of erosion control structures; planting a bamboo and grass belt around the Rugezi Wetlands; planting trees on surrounding hillsides and distributing improved cookstoves (negating the need for wood fuel). Assistance was provided to farmers to implement sustainable agriculture measures and improve their livelihoods, including through additional income-generating activities such as beekeeping. The local population was engaged in restoration efforts, for instance, filling in existing drainage ditches, which also increased awareness.

Additional interventions included establishing local watershed management committees and developed community-based management plans, as well as incorporation of wetland protection measures in planning and other policies.

Adaptation element

Adaptation planning and practices; Capacity building

Adaptation sector/theme

Water resources; Ecosystems; Ecosystem-based adaptation

Climate hazard

Country

Rwanda

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EbA

Description

In the area of northern Rwanda, surrounding the Rugezi wetlands, high dependence on agricultural activities for livelihoods, as well as the forests to supply wood fuel, contributed to land degradation within the watershed. In 2003-04, Rwanda experienced a major electricity—and as a result, economic—crisis. This was attributed to water shortages in the main reservoir supplying the generating stations, due to degradation and poor management of the surrounding watersheds, reduced rainfall, and additional factors including poor maintenance of the infrastructure.

Given uncertainty surrounding the predicted impacts on the climate as a result of climate change, a programme of activities to restore the degraded Rugezi-Bulera-Ruhondo watershed was initiated. This aimed to build resiliency into the hydroelectric system to enable it to adapt to either future increases or decreases in precipitation in the future.

Expected outcome

Further information

Submitted by, or prepared in conjunction with, several Ministries within the Government of Rwanda

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Case study

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Government of Rwanda

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The combination of integrated policy interventions and measures taken to restore the wetlands resulted in the return of the hydropower station to full operational capacity. The restoration of the wetlands provided alternative livelihood options, including fishing, which had been lost due to the degradation of the ecosystem. Activities to support local communities to changing water regimes, and helping to diversify livelihoods, have increased the resiliency of people climatic changes.

The impact of efforts to restore the Rugezi-Bulera-Ruhondo watershed on the local population is a more difficult question. Initially, many local livelihoods were adversely affected as households lost access to the land for cultivation. Since this time, however, the restoration efforts appear to have started to provide some benefits. Radical terracing and agroforestry activities have increased crop productivity; grasses planted on managed terraces and lake banks are providing fodder for livestock; flora and fauna have increased in the Rugezi wetlands; and ecotourists are now visiting the area. The full consequences of the watershed restoration efforts on local people will only become clear over time.

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Type of knowledge resource

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NWPReferences

WRI 2011: World Resources Report Case Study. World Resources Report 2010-2011, Washington DC: https://www.wri.org/research/world-resources-report-2010-2011

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Content Type: NWPSearchableItem