Integration of freshwater biodiversity in the development process throughout Africa; mobilizing information and site demonstrations: Rusizi Demonstration Site Component

IUCN Project No. 76458-009

Finalized by the Invasive Species Initiative during 2009, 2010

The IUCN project 76458-000 was initiated in 2005 and covered four demonstration sites, one of which, the Rusizi River Floodplain and Delta in Burundi and DRC, was managed by the Water/wetlands and Biodiversity team of the (then) Eastern Arica Regional Programme of IUCN. During 2008 and early 2009, the main members of this team left IUCN, reporting in detail on their activities. In 2009 activities in the Rusizi River demonstration site were taken over by the Invasive Species Initiative (part of the IUCN Global Species Programme, but based in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office of IUCN in Nairobi, Kenya. This Initiative had already some knowledge and experience of the floodplain and delta and Lake Tanganyika and so was able to finalise the expected outputs of the project during 2009 and 2010.

The deltaic form of the outlet of the Rusizi River into Lake Tanganyika is a permanent tropical inland delta, renowned for its biodiversity - which includes impressive resident and migratory bird faunae (130 and 90 species respectively), a rich endemic fish fauna (90 species), a specialized plant flora (190 species) as well as hippopotamus, viverrids, antelopes, small mammals, African Crocodiles, varanid and smaller lizards, snakes and amphibia. The Rusizi floodplain, upstream of the delta is also of great regional importance as it supports the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Burundian and Congolese people who cultivate, fish, graze cattle and harvest wetland products – as well as harboring an important biodiversity of a Central African floodplain in the Western (Albertine) Rift Valley.

However, conflicts have erupted over natural resource use and current resource use patterns are proving to be unsustainable. The main reason is thought to be lack of awareness of the globally important wetland resources of the Rusizi floodplain, delta and adjacent littoral zone. These wetland resources are currently increasingly being exploited as a result of the ever-increasing human population and economic pressures. Reviews have shown that loss and degradation of habitat, sedimentation due to deforestation, eutrophication, inappropriate introduction of alien species that have become invasive, excessive water withdrawal, overexploitation of riparian and woodland resources, and pollution are the leading causes of fresh water species decline. These threats stem from the ever increasing demand for goods and services by the human population. Furthermore, owing to civil insecurity in both Bujumbura and Uvira, refugees have put an enormous pressure on the fisheries, forest and wetland resources of the (former) Rusizi National Park thus its downgrading from a national park to a nature reserve (which allows for some human activities).There is little or no coordinated management of the Rusizi floodplain, delta and adjacent littoral zone at the national level and transboundary level (it is shared by Burundi and DR Congo) and as a result, current resource-use practices are not sustainable. It has been acknowledged that this is a problem and help was sought.

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The governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with funding from the European Commission and technical assistance from IUCN (the World Conservation Union), began a project to sustain the important ecosystem functions of the Rusizi Delta and floodplain in January 2005. Several project objectives have been realized since then and these include biodiversity field studies to address management questions (1 st and 2 nd quarter, 2005), popularization of the status and distribution of biodiversity in Eastern Africa (3 rd and 4 th quarter, 2005) whereby the project went a step further and gathered species information, that were then subjected to the IUCN Red Listing process to determine their threatened status and the analysis of new freshwater biodiversity data both nationally and regionally (1 st and 2 nd quarter, 2007). This study has assisted in priority setting exercises for species conservation, demonstrated the great importance of the Rusizi river, its floodplain and delta as valuable and vulnerable ecosystems important for biodiversity conservation and human welfare. IUCN also assisted Burundi in developing a management plan for the Rusizi Delta Ramsar site and a national capacity for wetland management planning in order to conserve and promote sustainable use of freshwater biodiversity. Two of the team members, the Regional Programme Coordinator and the Technical Coordinator Biodiversity and Species left IUCN and the responsibility was then handed to the Global Invasive Species Initiative under the IUCN Species Programme whose main task was to use the project findings to influence management processes while involving the key project partners and producing awareness materials for both the public and the key decision-makers. The awareness campaign was launched to enlighten communities, resource managers and decision makers of the important biodiversity values in the Rusizi floodplain, delta and adjacent littoral zone in line with the purpose of this study which was to demonstrate the process of applying biodiversity information in development plans in order to sustain the important ecosystem functions of the Rusizi Delta and river system and the livelihoods that depend upon them.

A visit to the pilot site in October 2009 was made in order to meet with relevant government and non-government entities involved and interested in accomplishing or realizing the project goals. The meeting with Association Burundaise pour la protection des Oiseaux (ABO) at their offices was very fruitful and resulted in acquisition of the ABO publication of November 2008 “ Zones Importantes de Conservation des Oiseaux au Burundi ” which includes a chapter on the Rusizi Nature Reserve and the waterbirds recorded there, including some red list data. ABO, Association Ceinture Verte pour Environnement (ACVE) were very positive of the process, discussed the work on Civil Society in the Rusizi Area as well as economic activities that have been happening in the reserve (poaching and agriculture). Discussions were also carried out with a representative of BirdLife International Africa, met at the ABO office about the red listing process in the Rusizi Nature Reserve. ACVE (Greenbelt) reported that they had not done any species assessments in the NR but had been planting trees there and assessing the use of the NR resources by local communities in and near the Reserve. In addition, another local NGO, Association Herpetologique et Environnement (AHEB) had attempted to rehabilitate some parts of the Rusizi Reserve and were also working with women in NRM associated with Rusizi. A consortium of NGOs was working on a peri-urban landscape near Bujumbura (around the Ntahangwa River corridor. The NGOs concerned registered their interest in participating in the

2 distribution of any awareness materials coming out of the Rusizi Pilot Site project and to support any policy briefs that might be developed – provided that there was some consultation on details.

A visit was also made to the Ministry of Water, Environment, Management of Territories and Urbanisation (MEAU). This was largely a courtesy call as the relevant interaction was with INECN and the Rusizi Nature Reserve Authority who were helpful with data and survey of the Nature Reserve. The Chef de la Reserve Naturelle de la Rusizi pointed out that the delta part of the reserve had once been connected to the Palmerie (the “palm forest” of Hyphaenae petersiana ) by a natural corridor, but that this had been encroached upon by farms, livestock and settlements such that the area of the palm forest is now separated from the delta.

During the same visit, discussions were also held with the Directeur Exécutif, Directeur de l'Environnement and the Conseillére Technique pour l'Environnement, all of Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA). More on the trip can be found in the trip report October 2009 below. After all findings and recommendations were related to the Lake Tanganyika Authority it was agreed that the next step for the Rusizi Pilot Site last phase was to develop messages to show the importance of the biodiversity of the Rusizi River and floodplain. This is what happened approximately six months later. LTA played an important role in the approval of posters and pamphlets to ensure compliance with LTA policies, practices and relevance to the host government. Further to this, they also recommended an efficient translator for the documents to be translated into French. The publications include two posters, a leaflet and most importantly, a policy brief. The posters (attached at the end of the report) had the following messages:

Biological diversity provides quite a number of goods and services important in sustaining our lives
It is in our own interest that we need to protect biological diversity, as the core of our own life support system
Conservation actions need to be directed at a number of species in the Rusizi floodplain and delta which are seriously threatened with extinction
All is not lost on the DRC side of the floodplain and more effort should be directed at reviving the nature reserve on that side
When planning to use land - for agriculture, livestock grazing and new housing plots, conservation areas should be avoided in an attempt to conserve biological diversity.

The leaflet was a summary of the species and ecosystem information gathered during the earlier years of the project as well as the process that lead to this. The group that was selected to be trained during the workshops consisted of key decision-makers and natural resource managing authorities with an influence on the use of freshwater biodiversity including authorities from central and peripheral administrations. Training involved GIS manipulation and IUCN Species Information System database management. The leaflet also highlighted the anthropogenic activities

3 that were directly or indirectly affecting the conservation actions, this was meant to raise public awareness on the threats to the floodplain and delta in as much as those carrying out the undesired activities may have been forced by circumstances or had the best of intentions while initiating them.

The project also produced a policy brief (also attached at the end of this report) on the basis of the project findings. The document is meant to be used to influence management processes relevant to the sustainable use of biodiversity resources within the floodplain and delta. Discussions with the relevant decision/ policy makers were held on the possible policy issues that arose during the project implementation and possibilities of changes in the current environmental policies in Burundi and initiation of the same in DRC. Details of the discussions are attached as - Trip report, Burundi, September, 2010.

A brief document of “Lessons Learned” during this last phase of the Rusizi pilot site project was prepared and is attached hereto as the last annexure. ______

ANNEXES: Sub-project trip reports, posters, leaflet, policy brief and lessons learned

TRIP REPORT, Burundi, October, 2009 – GWH

Objectives

• To acquire updates on the situation of the Pilot Site of Rusizi River Floodplain and Delta for the finalization of the Rusizi Demonstration Site of project 76458-000 as 76458-010 • To meet with relevant government and non-government entities involved and interested • To discuss the pilot site project with the Lake Tanganyika Authority and suggest their involvement in the final products • To visit the floodplain (and the delta?) to acquire relevant images and to see the status of the Rusizi Reserve • To discuss options for the future with all concerned Itinerary

Tuesday, 20 th October : KQ468, NBO-BJU arrived 09.00; assisted by Gabriel Hakizimana (LTA) to register at Hotel Le Bouquet and proceed to LTA offices; brief Saskia Marijnissen concerning the mission; meet with the Executive Director, Lake Tanganyika Authority, Henry Mwima; visit the NGO Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Oiseaux (ABO) and meet the National Coordinator, Geoffroy Citegetse (and, incidentally but fortunately), the Science and Conservation Programme Manager of Birdlife – Africa, Dr Julius Arinaitwe from Nairobi); meet with Gabriel again to make further arrangements; go to Ministere de l’Eau, de l’Environnement, et de l’Amenagement du Territoire & Urbanisme (MEEATU) to call on Minister (with Pacifique), meet deputy, Chef du Cabinet, Joseph Nduwimana; hold a meeting at the hotel with ABO, ALVE (Dismas Nditabiriye) and Chef de la Reserve Naturelle de la Rusizi (Onesphore Masaba) to discuss the reserve, etc.; meet Saskia to finalise field trip; stay at Le Bouquet Hotel

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Wednesday, 21 st : Meet with Saskia, Mr Masaba and LTA project vehicle + driver; go to the Rusizi NR north of airport – visiting small holdings in the reserve, area set aside for agriculture within the reserve, cemetery within the reserve, the palm forest, the river (and views of DRC); visit the delta part of the reserve. Stay at Le Bouquet

Thursday, 22 nd : KQ 468, BJU-NBO

Findings

Discussions with LTA: The LTA Executive Director, Dr Henry Mwima, was pleased to be met and wanted to be part of the Rusizi process and have LTA involved. I agreed to keep contacts with LTA, seek their advice on institutional and policy matters and involve LTA in the entire process and outputs. The same for the Environment Director, Gabriel Hakizimana

Discussions with NGOs : The initial meeting with ABO at their offices was very fruitful and resulted in acquisition of the ABO publication of November 2008 “ Zones Importantes de Conservation des Oiseaux au Burundi” which includes a chapter on the Rusizi Nature Reserve and the waterbirds recorded there + some red list data.

ABO, ACVE were very positive of the process and briefed Geoffrey Howard on the work on Civil Society in the Rusizi Area and around BMU – as well as activities that have been happening in the reserve (e.g. the last elephant was killed there in 2005; 1,500 ha sugar cane has been planted in the reserve – on land handed over by Govt; there are both villages and livestock in the NR). ABO has recently (November, 2008) published the Important Bird Areas of Burundi (purchased by GH from ABO) which has a chapter on the Rusizi NR with Red List data and endemism for birds in the NR. It lists 123 waterbirds recorded from the Nature Reserve, four of which are near threatened (NR) and one (the Madagascar Squacco Heron, Ardeola idae ) is endangered (EN). I asked the representative of BirdLife International Africa, Julius Aranaitwe (who was in the ABO office) if his organization had carried out any specific red listing of late in the RNR and he replied that BirdLife assessed species as-and-when possible and not on the basis of area in most cases.

ACVE (Greenbelt) reported that they had not done any species assessments in the NR but had been planting trees there and assessing the use of the NR resources by local communities in and near the Reserve. In addition, another local NGO, AHEB had attempted to rehabilitate some parts of the Rusizi Reserve and were also working with women in NRM associated with Rusizi. A consortium of NGOs was working on a peri-urban landscape near Bujumbura (around the Ntahangwa River corridor).

Discussions with Government : The visit to the Ministry of Water, Environment, Management of Territories and Urbanisation (MEAU) was largely a courtesy call as the relevant interaction was with INECN and the Rusizi Nature Reserve Authority who were helpful with data and then accompanied me to the Nature Reserve. The Chef de la Reserve Naturelle de la Rusizi pointed out that the delta part of the reserve had once been connected to the Palmerie by a natural corridor, but that this had been encroached upon by farms, livestock and settlements such that the area of the palm forest is now separate from the delta. There is movement of birds between the two parts but not other animals – apart from fish, crocodiles and hippos which move in the river.

Other : The status of the various nature reserve entities was checked by enquiring from all concerned and it seems that:

• The Rusizi Nature Reserve exists on the Burundi side of the floodplain and palm forest and is still a refuge for native vegetation and fauna – both associated with the river and wetlands as well as the palm and acacia savannah. • The concept of a matching floodplain reserve on the DRC side of the river has not come about and is becoming more occupied and stripped of natural resources with time

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• The Ramsar site (of 1,000 ha of the delta + riparian area of the lake) is a recognized Wetland of International Importance and is on the formal Ramsar list • The World Heritage Site discussed and proposed for some years has not become a reality (and there is some doubt as to whether the nomination for World Heritage site status was ever forwarded to the World Heritage Centre in UNESCO, Paris). A cultural WH site was approved in eastern Burundi recently.

IUCN was asked to help to revive the idea of World Heritage listing of parts of the Rusizi NR as a natural site and to assist with developing a nomination paper. IUCN was asked to support awareness processes concerning the Nature Reserve and the lake-edge landscape in general. – for biodiversity conservation and general environmental good practice. This could include management of the invasive water hyacinth. ACVE was currently perfecting Water Hyacinth as a source of biogas and as mulch for vegetable gardens. This was seen as a way to manage the invading plants (a questionable approach).

The NGO group did not see IUCN as a source of funding (as they seem to have adequate funding, including some from IUCN Netherlands Committee and some links to LLS) but as a supporter of the conservation movement and contributor to general awareness. The NGOs concerned were happy to distribute any awareness materials coming out of the Rusizi Pilot Site project and to support any policy briefs that might be developed – providing that there was some consultation on details. GH agreed to maintain contact and seek advice on this issue.

Visit to the Rusizi NR : This was very successful and enabled me to see the range of ecosystems and habitats, the river in the reserve, the delta part of the reserve and to acquire many images.

First interaction with the Rusizi Nature Reserve (RNR), along the main road north of Bujumbura Airport, involved the start of the palm forest and the area of livestock farming and settlement. The livestock (mostly cattle, but including pigs) were kept in yards and fed on imported forage – some being from grass cut in the irrigation areas near the airport and brought by bicycle to a grass market at the start of the reserve (See Figure 1). This area was characterized by many people, livestock and palm forest ( Hyphaene petersiana , the African Vegetable Ivory Palm). It was also characterized by several invasive plants – notable Lantana camara , a cactus – Opuntia monocantha (formerly O. vulgaris ) and Jatropha curcas – planted as a hedge but also clearly establishing on its own in adjacent areas (including on and around graves in the cemetery nearby). This is a designated area of livelihoods set aside within the RNR (see Figures 2, 3, & 4) – this is south of the cemetery (point 6 on the map below).

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Map 1. Rusizi Nature Reserve. The northern, floodplain and palm forest stretches from point D along the river to the top of the map. The green area below the road to DRC is the Risizi Delta.

Slightly further north, is part of the designated cropping area for annual crops (including rice) within the RNR (Figure 5 and area 4 on the map which has extended from area 7). Clearly all native vegetation is removed here and the remaining plants are roadside weeds and some invasive shrubs of lantana and Leucaena leucocephala.

Between points F and E (on the map) we turned into the reserve and the palm forest (Figures 6 and 7) and spent several hours moving towards the river on different tracks and eventually arrived at the river’s edge at its western-most point (Figure 8). Here the river channel was deep within the floodplain with evidence of its having risen to flood the entire area, especially the grassy plain outside the palm forest (Figure 9). The riparian vegetation is dominated by Phragmites mauritiana but has many other species characteristic of the river-edge vegetation of central Africa with habitats for a range of terrestrial and freshwater plants, invertebrates and vertebrates (Figure 10). The invasive shrub Mimosa pigra was in evidence in several parts of the river’s edge.

After returning to the main road and leaving the RNR, we proceeded to the delta area of the reserve where the Rusizi River becomes two distributaries which enclose the delta part of the Nature Reserve. This area is well- known and well-photographed – especially the hippos and waterbirds frequently found resting on the sand banks within the Grande Rusizi. (Figure 11). This small area of 1000 ha contains a variety of aquatic, riparian and terrestrial plants and associated habitats which includes the lake itself down to a depth of 10m. Unfortunately this whole delta is affected by a very dense infestation of Lantana camara extending from the very edge of the river (Figure 12) to the innermost thickets and acacia woodland areas (Figure 13) which has

7 covered many other vegetation types and species and is still spreading and becoming more dense as time goes by. There is serious need to manage this plant as its allelopathic exudates can prevent other plants from growing and cause local extinctions of native plant communities with knock-on effects to whole communities of plants, habitats and many other aspects of biodiversity.

However, while the delta part of the reserve is otherwise well maintained and kept (almost) free of encroachment and use of the biodiversity, this is not so for the floodplain reserve. In the wild area of the reserve we met many people, saw many cattle and recognized sawn timber (awaiting collection). There is also a thriving business of charcoal production and fuelwood supply which must be affecting the biodiversity of the reserve. Staff of the reserve are few and unable to prevent these types of utilization of the wild areas – with inevitable long-term impacts. Thus the next step for the Rusizi Pilot Site last phase will be to develop messages to show the importance of the biodiversity of the Rusizi River and floodplain (using the species assessment data) and so the need for more respect for the boundaries of the reserve and for the native flora and fauna of the area. While the RNR is but a small part of the original pilot site, it is, nevertheless, a reasonable sample of the floodplain.

DRC : No contact was made with colleagues from DRC on this short trip as it is hoped that this can be done by email. During the Conference of Ministers of the LTA, held in Uvira in July I made contact with folks from the Fisheries Research Institute (in Uvira) and the ministry responsible for environment (based in Kinshasa) which should provide the necessary contacts.

Figure 1. Grass market at the start of the Rusizi Nature Reserve

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Figure 2. Cattle pens in the start of the palm forest in RNR. Note Lantana camara shrub in the foreground

Figure 3. Infestation of Opuntia monacantha in livestock pen area, southern end of the RNR

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Figure 4. Jatropha curcas planted as a live fence (hedge) southern boundary RNR

Figure 5. Designated cropping area RNR – note classic floodplain grey soils which is inundated by the flood most years; palm forest in the background

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Figure 6. Entering the dense part of the Palm Forest and associated vegetation

Figure 7. Palm forest of Hyphaene petersiana with associated vegetation

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Figure 8. Rusizi River on the border with DRC in the RNR. Note riparian vegetation dominated by Phragmites mauritiana with floodplain and palm forest in the far distance

Figure 9. Grassy (flood-) plain adjacent to the Rusizi River within the RNR

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Figure 10. Rusizi River edge with riparian vegetation

Figure 11. Rusizi River (Grande Rusizi) within the delta Nature Reserve with hippos and White Faced Whistling Ducks ( Dendrocygna viduata )

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Figure 12. Grande Rusizi with weavers nests and shrubs of Lantana camara in the foreground

Figure 13. An image of the Lantana camara in the thicket-woodland area of the delta reserve in December 2006: this is now much thicker and taller than it was three years ago

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Image taken from the aircraft when leaving for Nairobi of the Rusizi River (major branch) emptying into Lake Tanganyika through the eastern part of the Rusizi Delta

TRIP REPORT, Burundi, September, 2010 – EAA

Objectives

• To disseminate awareness materials (posters, leaflets and policy briefs) to agencies that were involved in one way or the other (and others) with the Rusizi demonstration site project • To hold discussions on the possible policy issues that arose during the project implementation and possibilities of changes in the current environmental policies

Itinerary

Thursday, 9 th September : KQ462, NBO-BJU arrived 1:30pm Burundi time; picked from the airport by Pierre, Lake Tanganyika Authority driver, head to LTA offices, brief overview of planned schedule with Prof Laurent Ntahuga and Dr Saskia Marijnissen. Visit to Institut National pour l'Environnement et la Conservation de la Nature (INECN), meeting with Chief of Biodiversity Research, Nzigidahera Benoit. Proceed to Ministry of water, environment, land and urban planning, hold discussions with Fidele Gahungu. Head to Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Oiseaux (ABO), stay at Le Bouquet Hotel

Friday, 10 th : Idd ul Fitr, From Le Bouquet Hotel to LTA offices, meet with Prof. Gaspard Ntakimazi, translator Parfait Richard and Dr Nshombo Muderhwa of Centre de Recherche en Hydrobiologie (CRH). Stay at Le Bouquet

Saturday 11th : KQ 442, BJU-NBO at 12:20pm, arrive at JKIA at 3:40pm.

Findings

The visit was made to fulfill the objectives listed above. The posters and pamphlets were distributed to the organizations/ agencies that had been involved with the project as well as others with the mission to conserve biodiversity. The publications were adequate for dissemination to any seminars/ conferences/ meetings/ gatherings the agencies would be attending so as to reach a wider audience and raise awareness on conservation and possible

15 policy issues. A short questionnaire was used to enliven the discussions of the policy briefs. From the discussions, all agreed on one thing: that the Rusizi floodplain and delta is a very important ecosystem, important in maintaining biodiversity and providing important ecosystem services and of touristic value due to the presence of the variety of fauna found there. A huge population also benefits from fishery activities and wetland products that they harvest. These include Phragmites used for making fences and doors, clay harvested for brick-making and the palm trees and fruits used for production of artisanal products, beds, tables and for lighting fires. The scene was however different on the DRC side where cotton cultivation that had been extensive, has been reduced to small-scale production and there was mining of gold and copper going on too. There also was a general agreement that the Rusizi floodplain and delta was not in the pristine state that it was several years ago. The discussions also brought out gaps within already existing environmental policies or their lack thereof.

Discussions with INECN:

The Chief of Biodiversity Research, Nzigidahera Benoit, was well aware of the challenges in the Rusizi floodplain and delta. According to him the vegetation previously present had been destroyed, cattle grazing and agriculture was being practiced beyond the boundaries permitted. No Environmental Impact Assessments were done before the sugarcane and other crop cultivations were initiated. Such policies existed but those involved did not comply. This led to the destruction of the palm forest - the identity of the Rusizi floodplain and delta. On the other hand, he was cognizant of the fact that those involved in the degradation of the floodplain and delta were untouchables, an end to which could be brought by raising awareness in the top land officials too. The harvesting of Phragmites is regulated, the Rusizi Nature Reserve works hand in hand with a local women’s association, issuing permits to only them and no one else and in return they maintain the paths in the reserve. However there have been cases where people sneak into the reserve to harvest the plants and the penalty when caught is two days imprisonment – not deterrent enough! It would be important to introduce more stringent rules and punishments for such intruders. Several documents have been written and produced to encourage the sustainable use of the resources of the floodplain and delta for example the “Evaluation study on the impacts of human activities and the degree of biodiversity loss: proposal for a sustainable management plan for the proposed Rusizi Biosphere Reserve.” (Etude d’évaluation des impacts des actions anthropiques et du degré de disparition de la biodiversité : proposition de plan de gestion durable de la réserve naturelle de la Rusizi, réserve de biosphère en projet ) by Dr Nzigidera and others to encourage the diversification of livelihoods but no one is using them partly because there is no financial capacity to.

Discussions with Ministry of water, environment, land and urban planning : Here, they agreed to the fact that biodiversity information is not normally used while planning for development processes that may involve water withdrawal from the river and that it was necessary if the resources present were to be used sustainably. They also were aware of the presence of invasive species such as Lantana camara and problems with sedimentation and pollution from agricultural chemicals used on nearby farms.

Discussions with ABO: The Chief Executive Officer of ABO, Dieudonne Bizimana was concerned that the floodplain and delta was not in the same state that it was some years back. This the bird team had deduced after collecting data that showed that birds like the white-winged tern and the African skimmer had significantly reduced in abundance while the lesser flamingo had not been seen here since 2003. They had also noted that other fauna such as the crocodile numbers were also dwindling. He was also concerned about the industries that had come up some as far as 5km from the reserve. These included soap making, leather tanning, brewery and petroleum processing plants. The neighboring slums also discharged raw sewage into the river and these had not impacted on the river positively. Between the years 2007 and 2009, IUCN Netherlands funded a project to help diversify livelihoods (introduced goat and hen farming) so as to ease the pressure on the natural resources of the Rusizi floodplain and delta that were being harvested. Other actions towards the same goal have involved a project funded by IUCN France to sensitize the fishermen on the need for a closed fishing season to allow the fish to breed and creation of tree nurseries to provide seedlings for the repopulation of the nature reserve. This prompted the question on which tree species were being used. Unfortunately, funds have been provided by the government of Burundi with the direction that Senna

16 simea be used for the repopulation exercise. This was done without a risk assessment on the invasive potential of this particular tree, an action that would result in problems rather than the problem being solved. The solutions that the ABO CEO was offering included: prioritizing environment protection on the national to-do list, frequently reviewing the rules and laws governing the protection of the floodplain and delta, addressing the pollution issues by creating a sink of sorts, encouraging transboundary cooperation since it is a shared resource and handling the Lantana camara problem for which they had secured some funding and were at the stage of testing the management options available.

Discussions with Prof Gaspard Ntakimazi, University of Burundi: Prof Ntakimazi was well aware of the project background and was pleased with the results. He was of the opinion that the dry places of the floodplain and delta were being burned to clear and create more land for agriculture and graze livestock. To prevent any further negative impacts on the Rusizi Nature Reserve, he suggested that the management plan drawn up for the Rusizi floodplain and delta be implemented and more powers be given to INECN as the agency charged with conservation of the area to be able to deal with the “big, untouchable” offenders. He was also of the idea that the remainder of the reserve on Burundi side be fenced since the wild animals are hunted when they cross over to DRC.

Discussions with the Director General, CRH, Dr Nshombo Muderhwa: It was noted earlier that the DRC scenario was overly delicate and required swift action to protect the remnants of the reserve if any. The Rusizi floodplain and delta on the DRC side, was largely under cotton and rice cultivation, livestock rearing, fishing activities and now, mining of gold and copper on a small scale. Trying to reclaim the land would need careful planning as it would involve displacing the people settled there. CRH had noted that the water level in the river had gone down and some of the tributaries were drying up from lack of rain. As a result people were moving closer to the river bed to settle and the government was selling out the land to interested individuals! He expressed concern that DRC had no environmental policies to protect regions like the Rusizi floodplain and delta and due to that the DRC side of the RNR was nearly completely destroyed and settled into. Much that had gone on in the floodplain and delta did not help the conservation issue since mining was initiated, companies and NGOs are practicing agriculture and supplying seeds to the local farmers while the government is providing ploughing tractors to farmers who are not charged any fee but only left to fuel the machinery. This is to encourage maize production in the area. Dr Nshombo carried the awareness materials with him for delivery to ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservacion de la Nature).

Report by: IUCN Invasive Species Initiative, Nairobi, October, 2010

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CONSERVECONSERVE OUROUR BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (animals and plants) IS THE MAINSTAY OF HUMAN LIFE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH MANY PRODUCTS, KEEPS THE AIR CLEAN AND THE WATER PURE

Conserve the Rusizi River Floodplain and Delta

It’s Biodiversity includes more than 1,500 species – at least 15 of which are seriously threatened with extinction and another 15 are very close to being threatened

Distribution of a Critically Distribution of a critically Distribution of a Vulnerable endangered fish, Chiloglanis endangered insect, Platycypha fish, Varicorhinus leleupanus ruziziensis, endemic to River pinheyi (Odonata) found on endemic to Lake Tanganyika and Rusizi the Northern shores of Lake River Rusizi Tanganyika Hippo and birds Hyphaene petersiana in palm forest

Strawberry mite

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE RUSIZI NATURE RESERVE Vitaceae with Water birds Belenois sp. The Rusizi Nature Reserve helps to maintain precious biodiversity of global importance – help it to revive and support the conservation of biodiversity on the DRC side of the floodplain

For further information please contact: [email protected]; gabriel.hakizimana@lta_alt.org LAND–USELAND–USE PLANNINGPLANNING SHOULDSHOULD CONSIDERCONSIDER THETHE VALUESVALUES OFOF BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

Water that flows through the Rusizi River provides ...... but it could be better if we conserved the plant good quality water for Lake Tanganyika and for the diversity of the Rusizi Floodplain and Delta because fish and other biota in the lake...... plants can help to purify water

Planning of new farming and livestock areas and new housing plots should avoid conservation areas RESTORE THE RUSIZI NATURE RESERVE

For further information please contact: [email protected]; gabriel.hakizimana@lta_alt.org Integration of freshwater biodiversity in the development process along Rusizi river ecosystem: mobilizing information and site demonstrations Project background This is a summary of the species and ecosystem information gathered during the five years of the Rusizi Demonstration Site Component along Albertine Rift Valley in Burundi and DRC which was part of the larger “Integration of freshwater biodiversity in the development process throughout Africa” project. The overall objective of the larger project was to gather species information in preparation for species assessment of freshwater biodiversity, some of which were later subjected to the IUCN “Red Listing process” to determine their status. The Rusizi Demonstration Site project was undertaken to assist conservation and development planning by understanding the presence and status of local biodiversity and the threats they face. This was to be achieved through: (i) Adding on to (and spreading) the Eastern Africa freshwater biodiversity publication (Darwall et al., 2005) (ii) Popularising the data and training target groups in data management (iii) Carrying out additional (focussed taxa) studies (iv) Analysing new data and making recommendations. Study site The Rusizi River rises at the outflow of Lake Kivu and becomes the border between Rwanda (and then Burundi) and DRC (Fig 1). The floodplain extends southwards and widens as it nears Lake Tanganyika before the river divides into the main distributaries in its delta that extends out into Lake Tanganyika. Target groups Priority was given to decision-makers and natural resources managing authorities with an influence on the use of freshwater biodiversity including authorities from central and peripheral administrations. This included: (i) Scientists and technicians from the different services involved in the collection and/or use of freshwater biodiversity data e.g Faculty of Sciences University of Burundi, Ministry of Land planning, Environment and Tourism, National Institute for the Environment and Conservation of Nature, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries: Department of Fisheries (ii) Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) and hydrological research centre in Uvira, DRC. Methodology Three workshops were held to continue building capacity and assessing other freshwater biodiversity in the general area of the lower Rusizi River Floodplain and its Delta into the northern end of Lake Tanganyika. Training involved GIS manipulation and IUCN Species Information System database management. Information was gathered from literature, field visits, discussions with experts and general consultation to provide an extensive list of species known from the Rusizi floodplain. Results By the end of the project, the following numbers of species had been assessed, listed and entered into the IUCN Species Information System. While this large number Groups of Main types of species No. Number of species with data available for of species by no means organisms considered Red Listing which could be assessed as represents all organisms “Threatened” in any way Molluscs Mussels, Bivalves 49 2; two category Vulnerable + 6 Near present in the Pilot Area, Snails, Gastropods Threatened it does demonstrate the Crustaceans Crabs, Decapods 6 0 great importance of the Rusizi River, floodplain Insects Dragonflies, Odonates 2 1 Critically Endangered and delta as valuable and Fish Characiformes, 145 5; two Critically Endangered, one vulnerable ecosystems Cypriniformes, Endangered, two Vulnerable + 3 Near important for biodiversity Cyprinodontiformes, Threatened conservation and human Osteoglossiformes, welfare. However, another Percifomes related survey highlighted Siluriformes Synbranchiformes a threat to this assemblage Amphibians Frogs & toads, Anurans 35 6; six all category Vulnerable, + 1 Near of biodiversity – Invasive Threatened Alien Species. These Birds “Waterbirds” 123 1, data from Hakizimana et al., 2008, one included Water Hyacinth Endangered + 5 Near Threatened (Eichhornia crassipes), Nile Plants Monocots, Dicots & Ferns 1,000; + 9 0 Cabbage (Pistia stratiotes), subspecies Red Waterfern (Azolla spp.), Total 1,460 15 Threatened + 15 Near Threatened lantana (Lantana camara), spiny mimosas (Mimosa pigra and Mimosa invisa) and at least one species of invasive cactus (Opuntia monacantha). All of these are capable of out-competing native vegetation and removing access to food, shelter, breeding and resting sites of a range of biodiversity. The data accumulated in this project will help to support the plans afoot to restore the Rusizi Nature Reserve to a National Park and encourage conservation on the DRC side of the flood plain. Other threats Conclusions and encountered Recommendations Un-checked use of natural resources, illegal (i)The need for increased conservation efforts for plants settlements and un-authorised agriculture brought and fish was noted (ii) The proposal for an extension of the about by several insurgencies, overfishing and Nature Reserve into DRC to form an international reserve over-extraction of natural resources within the was endorsed (iii) The entire Nature Reserve qualifies to be flood plain, increased sedimentation, pollution a Ramsar site (iv) International cooperation would be needed from unmanaged garbage, waste from zero- for management of such a reserve (v) Burundi has applied to grazing livestock and low-level effluents from the World Heritage Convention Secretariat for nomination of industrial by-products all threaten the biological the Nature Reserve (May, 2007). diversity described above.

References: (i) Darwall, W., Smith, K., Lowe, T. and Vié, J. C. (2005). The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in Eastern Africa. Occasional Paper of the Species Survival Commission of IUCN (No.31) (ii)Hakizimana, D., Citegetse, G., Manirambona, A. & Bizimana, D. 2008. Zones Importantes de Conservation des Oiseaux au Burundi. ABO & BirdLife International, 112pp

For further information please contact: [email protected]; gabriel.hakizimana@lta_alt.org POLICY BRIEF JULY, 2010

Conserving Biodiversity, Protecting Livelihoods on Inland Waters of Eastern Africa: Rusizi Floodplain and Delta

• Biodiversity in Eastern Africa inland water ecosystems has clear economic value, as it provides essential goods and services such as food, shelter, fuel, potable water, flood amelioration, all-round water flows and water filtration. The ecosystems concerned are populated by many types of animals and plants which maintain the ecosystem functions • Rural and urban development objectives rarely integrate biodiversity considerations within their various planning processes for housing, industry, commerce, farming, etc. • Without the integration of biodiversity considerations, ecosystem functions and resources are degraded or lost and so their contributions to economies and livelihoods dependent upon them • Biodiversity information should be integrated within the development of environmental planning in all its forms to ensure that ecosystems are not degraded and can continue to offer support to people and their aspirations • The status and trends of species in inland water ecosystems can be assessed and analysed to identify important areas of biodiversity that are compatible with national development so that they can be included in land-use planning

IUCN Species Programme The floodplain of the Rusizi river stretches for 35km in the last reaches of the river until it ends at the Rusizi delta where the river spills into Lake Tanganyika. This fertile floodplain (in both Burundi and DRC) hosts many native plants which enhance its value an as important working ecosystem as well as a refuge and living area for many animals - from mites and insects to large mammals. The Rusizi delta is even more fertile due to the silt that is brought by annual floods and so has even greater assortment of species diversity of many types of river-dwelling fish, reptiles, birds and hippos while the drier parts of the delta host abundant vegetation and another set of small and large animals. Together, the floodplain and delta hosts at least 193 plant species representing 55 families. The vegetation can broadly be divided into arborescent savanna forest, herbaceous savanna, riparian trees, shrubs and herbs and aquatic vegetation. Resident large mammals include: Bushbuck, Sitatunga, Hippopotamus, Civets and several cats. The Rusizi system supports an impressive resident terrestrial and aquatic bird fauna and in addition is visited seasonally by more than 90 migratory species transiting to/from Europe. More than 90 species of fish, the majority of them endemic, Crocodiles, monitor lizards and more than 12 species of snakes are also present. What is the problem? The attempt to meet national development objectives may impact negatively on freshwater biodiversity. Reviews have shown that loss and degradation of habitat, sedimentation due to deforestation, eutrophication, inappropriate introduction of invasive alien species, water withdrawal, overexploitation and pollution are the leading causes of fresh water species decline. These threats stem from the ever increasing demand for goods and services by the human population and for land to be converted to farming, livestock keeping, aquaculture, forestry and urban development. Furthermore, owing to civil insecurity in the region, refugees have put an enormous pressure on natural resources of the Rusizi protected area such that it was downgraded from a national park to a nature reserve (which allows some human activities within its boundaries). This has led to increasing demands for biological resources due to increasing population and economic development. If sustainable use of the resources is not encouraged and biodiversity conservation prioritized, the livelihoods of the target beneficiaries may be lost, biodiversity loss has serious economic and social costs. What has been done? The European Commission funded a project that was implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This involved gathering species information and subjecting them to the IUCN Red Listing process to determine their threatened status. This has assisted in priority setting exercises for species conservation. The data has also demonstrated the great importance of the Rusizi River, its floodplain and delta as valuable and vulnerable ecosystems important for biodiversity conservation and human welfare. IUCN also assisted Burundi in developing a management plan for the Rusizi Delta Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance) and a national capacity for wetland management planning in order to conserve and promote sustainable use of freshwater biodiversity. At the same time, awareness on wetland issues amongst local people and within the government of Burundi was raised and similar recommendations made to the government of DRC concerning the remainder of the delta and the floodplain within that country. What needs to be done? Possible policy issues • The species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species need to be high on the conservation priority list if the risk of extinction is to be addressed • The management plan that was drawn up for Rusizi Delta should be updated funded and implemented • Land use planning i.e. the planning for new farming and livestock areas and new housing plots should consider the values of biodiversity and avoid conservation areas and areas of important wetlands and aquatic biodiversity • Freshwater biodiversity data is no longer hard to find and this should be expanded and integrated within the development process (especially land-use planning) at selected sites and later at national level • Management of the existing reserves and protection of the DRC side of the floodplain and delta should be revived - with extra funding and outside assistance if necessary

As stated in ‘Global Biodiversity Assessment’, published by the UNEP, “unless action is taken to protect biodiversity, we will lose forever the opportunity and the most precious assets of natural resources, available to the mankind.” It is possible to plan to meet people’s needs from biological resources while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Earth’s biological capital – and at the same time not hold back development. This is integrated development planning with the values of biodiversity in mind.

For more information please contact:

Dr Geoffrey Howard, Coordinator, Global Invasive Species Initiative,International Union for Conservation of Nature, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Mukoma Road (off Magadi Road), P. O. B ox 68200 (00200) Nairobi, Kenya

Integration of freshwater biodiversity in the developmentdevelopment process throughthroughoutout Africa: mobilizing information andand site demonstrations (Europe Aid/ENV/2004Aid/ENV/2004----8197).8197). Rusizi Demonstration Site Component (((Project(Project Number 7645876458---- 009009009)009 )))

A Lessons Learned DocDocumentument

Table of contents

1. Purpose………………………………………………………………………………3 2. Project goal………………………………………………………………………….3 3. Project Outcome………………………………………………………………….3 4. Project Evaluation………………………………………………………………...4 5. Project Strengths…………………………………………………………………..4 6. Project areas for improvement……………………………………………….4 7. Advice for similar projects……………………………………………………..5 8. Project archives ……………………………………………………………………5

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Project donordonor: European Commission

Project ManagerManager: Dr Geoffrey W. Howard

Implementing AgencyAgency: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Prepared byby: Dr Geoffrey W. Howard

Esther Abonyo

1.1.1. Purpose

This document provides advice to other projects by sharing lessons learned and includes highlights of informed conclusions regarding project quality and performance. The information gleaned can be applied as a roadmap for project improvement, used to maximize future successes and minimize future failures .

2.2.2. Project goal

The goal of the project was to enable water resource managers and environmental planners throughout Africa to integrate information on freshwater biodiversity within the development process. That information was inaccessible due to its disorganised and dispersed state. The goal has been achieved since existing information has been mobilized and synthesised into an appropriate format.

3.3.3. Project outcomes

Freshwater biodiversity information that was formerly inaccessible due to its disorganised and dispersed state has been mobilized and synthesised into an appropriate format

A widely available database of reliable information on the status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity for key taxa throughout Africa was developed

Capacity has been built and tools developed to assess freshwater biodiversity information through the several training workshops and development of expert networks

Best practice mechanisms for integrating biodiversity data into the development process was demonstrated at selected sites

By making the biodiversity information available and demonstrating its integration into development planning processes, the project built on existing initiatives and national expertise

Capacity was built to enable national planners fulfil their obligations to the UNCBD and other major environmental agreements

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Access to information, as defined in the Rio Principle 10, has been greatly improved through the project web-enabled database. This project addressed issues of knowledge, empowerment, and governance

4.4.4. ProjectProject Evaluation

The biggest achievement was with the mobilisation of biodiversity data which greatly eliminated the information bottleneck critically needed for effective biodiversity conservation in the inland waters of Eastern Africa.

5.5.5. ProjectProject strengths

The aspects of the project that were particularly successful included:

Regional capacity for biodiversity assessment and conservation has been raised through training in IUCN Red Listing process, field taxonomy, data management in the SIS database and through the expansion of the IUCN/ SSC expert network of specialists

Building on the data previously collated for the Rusizi and taking it forward together with the publication – “The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in Eastern Africa” compiled by W. Darwall, K. Smith, T. Lowe and J.-C. Vie, Occasional paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No.31 (which was funded by DGIS) to the decision makers in the region

Awareness materials were developed and disseminated to spread across the major lessons learned in the course of the project implementation. These took the form of posters, leaflets/ brochures and policy briefs that had recommendations on possible policy issues to be addressed.

6.6.6. ProjectProject areas for improvemeimprovementntntnt

It was intended that expert networks be put into place throughout Africa to update and maintain the database of freshwater biodiversity information for the future. The human resource pool is available now but the process may be unachievable as most African governments lack the financial capacity to do so

If resources had allowed, the management plan that was drawn up for Rusizi Delta could have been implemented in order to protect the livelihoods that depend upon it

The demonstration process should have allowed for the recovery and protection of the DRC side of the floodplain and delta

The choice of the demonstration site affected the outcomes to a large extent since it is very difficult to protect a reserve located near cities which provide ready markets for products that

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may be harvested from it. Also, part of the demonstration site is a conflict region and the challenges that come with the unrest and insurgencies could not be avoided.

7.7.7. AdviceAdvice for similar projects

The project-end exit strategy needs to be well-thought-out so that there is sustainability and efforts are not entirely lost. After funded demonstrations there is need to ensure that governments acknowledge the importance of the action and funds are set aside in the national budgets to oversee further implementation

More public awareness in the early stages of the project to better resist the change of status of previous protected areas through political expediency; farming, livestock rearing, peri-urban residences, small businesses and industry appeared in the previous PA during the life of the project – but to resist this is difficult.

More involvement and support of local NGOs and interest-groups would assist with the appreciation of the value of biodiversity and natural resources over small-scale developments

8.8.8. ProjectProject Archives
The publication on “The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in Eastern Africa” produced by IUCN SSC Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Programme, is available from:

Global Communications Unit

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

28, Rue Mauverny, CH – 1196, Gland, Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 999 0229, Fax +41 22 999 0020

E-mail: [email protected]

www.iucn.org/bookstrore

Soft copies of the posters, brochures/leaflets and policy briefs can be made available by contacting:

Dr Geoffrey W. Howard,

Global Coordinator, Invasive Species Initiative,

International Union of Conservation of Nature,

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Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office,

P. O. Box, 68200 (00200), Nairobi, Kenya

E-mail: [email protected]

For more information on the SIS data files with the biodiversity and IUCN Red Listing information, please contact: JameJameJamesJames Ragles Ragle,Ragle,,, Manager, Species Information IUCN Rue Mauverney 28 – 1196, Gland, Switzerland Direct: +41 (0)22 999 0304 Fax: +41 (0)22 999 0015 E-mail: [email protected]

Dr William Darwall

ManagerManagerManager,Manager, IUCN Species Programme ––– Freshwater Unit

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 ODL, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1223 277 966; Fax: +44 (0)1223 845

Email: [email protected]

www.iucn.org/species

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