Community livelihoods and forest dependency: Tourism contribution in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

A tourism revenue-sharing program in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, aimed at reducing poverty and improving conservation outcomes, has shown limited success. Despite doubling the share from 5% to 10% of park gate fees since 2005, the study found that community well-being has not significantly improved. Researchers used questionnaires, spatial analyses, and regression models to assess illegal resource use, socio-economic status, and community perceptions in 24 sectors around the park. The findings suggest that the program should prioritize areas with greater need and re-evaluate its interventions to better achieve poverty reduction and conservation goals.

Akayezu, P., Ndagijimana, I., Dushimumukiza, M. C., Bernhard, K. P., & Groen, T. A. (2022). Community livelihoods and forest dependency: Tourism contribution in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2022.1034144