Saving Rwanda's wetlands secures food for rural populations

1. The government of Rwanda The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands FAO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Regreening Thousand Hills in Rwanda’s Wetlands A programme for a wiser use of wetlands for food security Partners

2. Wetlands : conserving and protecting biodiversity

3. Back to the plentiful : it takes so little for wetlands to dry out and to degrade !

4. Wetlands : rich reservoirs of water, biodiversity and sources of energy

5. Rugezi (Northern Province), a Ramsar site where rehabilitated marshlands are replenished with water

6. A consequence of the protection of fragile ecosystems: a peaceful and recreational environment

7. In the area of Rugezi protected by the Ramsar Convention, households can satisfy their needs for water

8. Agriculture is allowed in certain marshlands provided that the land is not degraded

9. A wise use of land leads to more yields

10. New roads along protected wetlands shorten distances from one place to another

11. To practice agriculture on terraces is a wise use of land highly demanded by a growing population

12. A 50 meter buffer zone separates the lake from the main road

13. Rwandese farmers have learned to make use of scarce water on hill sides: productivity has doubled

14. Ploughing and planting with respect for nature and the environment

15. Wetlands : conserving and protecting biodiversity

16. Cattle graze on protected lands where villagers meet and socialize

17. Pictures Giulio Napolitano Reportage Liliane Kambirigi Fidèle Mpabwanimana Slideshow Eric Deleu

18. In collaboration with Ministry of Natural Resources (Rwanda) FAO - Kigali FAO Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Rome) Ramsar Secretariat (Convention on Wetlands) Produced by the FAO Communication Division (Rome)