LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
UNEP : United Nations Environment Program
MINITERE : Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water and
Mines
REMA : Rwanda Environment Management Authority
GDP : Gross Domestic Product
EMS : Environment Management System
MINECOFIN : Ministry of Economic Planning and Finance
EIAS : Environment Impact Assessments
ORTPN : Office Rwandaise de Tourisme et Park National
NPs : National Parks
NNP : Nyungwe National Park
UN : United Nations
MINALOC : Ministry of local Government
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1: Sample selection 32
Table 4.2: Distribution of respondents by sex, age and education
level 36
Table 4.3: Indicators of environmental conservation 37
Table 4.4: Indicators of sustainable development 38
Table 4.5: Respondents views on the impact of
environmental conservation to sustainable
development 39
Table 4.6: Respondents? views on the activities developed through
the presence of NNP 40
Table 4.7:Respondents?views on how environmental conservation
maintain sustainable
development in rural areas 41
Table 4.8: Respondents? views on the source of environmental
education 42
Table 4.9: Environmental problems in Kitabi sector 43
Table 4.10: Respondent?s views about how local population was
been allowed in the
participation of environmental conservation. 44
Table 4.11:
Respondents? views around the Nyungwe National Park about their economic
development changes 45
Table 4.12: Respondents? views on
environmental policy and its importance to Rwandan rural
areas 46
Table 4.13: Respondents? views about who benefit from Nyungwe
National Park 47
Table 4.14: The respondent?s views about the linkage between
environmental conservation and sustainable development of rural areas 48
ABSTRACT
The study is entitled «the sociological study on
environmental conservation as a means of achieving sustainable development in
rural areas in Rwanda». Case study of Kitabi sector/Nyamagabe District. It
was in line with the formulated hypothesis that «the environmental
conservation is a real basis of achieving sustainable development to the rural
areas in Kitabi sector.
The main objective of this study is to identify the condition
which environmental conservation can lead to the sustainable development
especially in rural areas. For data collection, qualitative method was used and
techniques like questionnaires were addressed to the local population,
interview was used for local leaders and observation.
Responses and views were obtained from a total of 24
respondents were analyzed and interpreted. Basing on the hypothesis, the
researcher found that there is a link between environmental conservation and
sustainable development of rural areas especially in Kitabi sector where the
majority depend on. From the findings of this research, it could be concluded
that both local leaders and population of Kitabi sector play a great role on
the conservation of environment to enhance the sustainable development of rural
areas.
Even though the local leaders showed the tireless work to make
sure the environmental conservation practices are being implemented for they
are not functioning very well at grassroots levels. That is why recommendations
were been suggested for better implementation.
Finally it is obvious to note that basing on the findings
outlined above, the research hypothesis has been confirmed to be valid. It
means the environmental conservation could a tool for sustainable development
especially in rural areas.
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