2.2.2. Environmental conservation and sustainable
development in Rwanda.
About 57% of Rwandans, a majority of them are women, live in
poverty, surviving on less than U$1 per day. Additionally, many households do
not have access to basic sanitation or water supplies. In recognition of the
strong linkages between poverty and environment, one of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs 7) seeks to integrate the principles of sustainable
development into country policies and programs and reserves the loss of
environmental resources Government of Rwanda: (2007)
The livelihoods and food security of the poor often depends
directly on ecosystems and the diversity of goods and services derived from
these ecosystems. Health ecosystems provide a range of invisible services that
are essential for sustainable development. Achievements of National and
international sustainable development goals and effective support to poverty
reduction initiatives will require Rwanda to integrate environment and natural
resources management principles into the National planning process for economic
Development. The economy is also linked to the environment in many important
ways. All economic activities including production, consumption and waste
disposal subsist in the environment. It has become abundantly clear that the
state of environment determines the level of prosperity not only in the short
term but also for the future generation. This underlines the need to examine
both economic and environmental indicators to determine the impact on the
environment of a range of economic activities in Rwanda and conversely, how
wise use of environmental resources can increase economic growth. MINECOFIN,
(2004:36)
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