UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Gishwati Mukura Landscape
General information
The Gishwati-Mukura Landscape is located in the Albertine Rift in the western part of Rwanda. This young national park is a global biodiversity hotspot, including a variety of endemic and endangered species. After decades of poorly managed land use, the country has been carrying out a major restoration effort, moving towards a socio-economic development based mostly in eco-tourism.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2020
Country
Rwanda
Total population
337782
Area
Surface
79,926.00 ha
Total terresterial area
79,926.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: -1.78308 - Longitude: 29.3348
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The Giswati Makura Landscape is critical in protecting biodiversity. The reserve is recognized for its two primate species: the Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthi) and the Golden monkey (Cercopithecus (mitis) kandti), which are endemic and endangered. Other species such as the Side-striped Jackal (Canis adustus), a variety of bats, and small mammals claim this forest as their home. The vegetation on the reserve includes three species of bryophytes (Porella abyssinica, Leptoscyphus expansus and Cololejeunea parva) that occur exclusively in the Giswati Forest.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The reserve has a population of approximately of 337,782 people in local communities. The main economic activities include agriculturethrough sustainable land management activities, silvopastoralism, agroforestry and tourism. 10% of all revenue generated with tourism in the National Park in the Biosphere Reserve's core area is allocated to community development projects. Several projects within the park include the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC), which is dedicated to research and monitoring programmes in the area as well as forest restoration.
