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Kagera Kigoma Game Reserves Rehabilitation Project (EDF) |
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Project Area The Kagera Kigoma Game Reserves Rehabilitation Project (KKGRRP) operates in 5 game reserves in northwestern Tanzania, namely Ibanda, Rumanyika, Burigi, Biharamulo and Moyowosi Game Reserves. These represent a total area in excess of 14,500 sqkm. The reserves are located in the Kagera and Kigoma Regions which border on to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The habitats within the reserves are diverse ranging from extensive wetlands in southern Moyowosi and along the Kagera River to extensive Acacia savannas, the northernmost miombo woodlands and dry montane forest. A few large lakes are included. Important populations of shoebill storks, sitatunga, sable and roan antelope are found here. Elephants still migrate between Moyowosi and Burigi Game Reserves. Background During the mid 1990's there was an enormous influx of refugees from Rwanda into the Kagera Region. UNHCR reacted quickly to this influx but created many large refugee camps on the edges of the game reserves, particularly Burigi Game Reserve. This reserve was formerly renowned for its diverse and large populations of wildlife, particularly buffalo but within a short period of time many wildlife populations were reduced to less than 10% of their former numbers largely through illegal resource exploitation by refugees. Emergency law enforcement operations were financed in 1996 by the European Development Fund to bring about a measure of control to the situation. In 1998 funds were received by the Wildlife Division from UNHCR to develop infrastructure and assist law enforcement operations. In 1999 the KKGRRP was established to provide more extensive support for all of the game reserves of the Kagera Region. Large influxes of refugees began to arrive in Kigoma Region from 1997/8 onwards. Again many large refugee camps were established on the reserve boundary and have resulted in a dramatic escalation of poaching activity in Moyowosi Game Reserve. A last minute decision was made to include Moyowosi Game Reserve within the project area but the KKGRRP has been limited to supporting emergency measures, mostly limited law enforcement to this reserve. Objectives The objectives of the KKGRRP are: Ecosystem biodiversity in Kagera and Kigoma Regions secured Livelihood security of the people in Kagera and Kigoma Regions improved Activities Strengthen Game Reserve Management
Law Enforcement
Develop Management Plans
Community Based Conservation (CBC)
Facilitate gazettement of Kimisi Game Reserve
Partners The KKGRRP is a project implemented by the Wildlife Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the executing agency in charge of the co-ordination of the programme. The German Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) is contracted to provide Advisory Services to the Project. The activities are conducted by staff of the Wildlife Division and District Administrations. The project staff consist of 1 senior officer of the Wildlife Division and a Technical Advisor. The project is located in Ngara. The project managers (Senior Wardens) of the Ibanda / Rumanyika Game Reserve National Project, Burigi / Biharamulo Game Reserves National Project and Moyowosi / Kigosi Game Reserves National Project corroborate with the project. Law enforcement support is received from the Lake Zone Anti-poaching Unit, Mwanza and the Western Zone Anti-poaching Unit, Tabora. Achievements The poaching situation within Burigi Game Reserve has been brought under control and there is a noticeable increase in wildlife populations. Law enforcement has also achieved a great deal of success in the other game reserves of Kagera and also Moyowosi. Unfortunately the refugee influx continues and is ever increasing which creates an ever-present threat to the reserves. Retention schemes have been approved by the Ministry of Finance for all reserves in which the KKGRRP is active. These schemes will ensure that the reserves are able to fund their own running costs and maintain their infrastructure during and after the KKGRRP has ended. All boundaries have been surveyed by District personnel and are now demarcated with cleared lines and large concrete beacons at regular intervals. Staff housing and game posts have been constructed / rehabilitated in Murongo, Biharamulo and around the southern side of Biharamulo Game Reserve. Illegal immigrants formerly encroaching on Rumanyika Game Reserve have been evicted and an access road through the reserve has been opened. Game posts are under construction on either end of this road to control access. Management plans are currently in preparation for the Kagera Game Reserves. These reserves have been mapped, ecological descriptions written and socio-economic studies of the surrounding communities have been conducted. Preparations for participatory stakeholder meetings are underway. Suitable areas for community based conservation initiatives have been identified in cooperation with District authorities and village leaders. Approval has been obtained from the Ngara and Karagwe District Councils for gazettement of Kimisi Game Reserve. The proposed boundaries have been surveyed by District authorities and some preliminary law enforcement operations conducted there. Duration and Funding The KKGRRP began in 1999 however the project only became established within the project area in January 2000. Funding is obtained from the Finance Agreement for the Special Programme for Refugee Affected Areas (SPRAA) of the European Development Fund (EDF VII, 7 ACP TA 098). Funding to date has been Euro 1.5 million. The current phase of the KKGRRP is planned to extend until December 2001.
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