Requirements for Establishing a Private Nature Reserve in Rwanda
In Rwanda, individuals who wish to establish their private nature reserve are now permitted to do so, following the provisions set by the law No. 001 dated 13/01/2023 on National Parks and Nature Reserves, provided they secure the necessary authorization.
According to this law, a nature reserve refers to a designated area of land owned by the state or an individual, set aside to conserve species of animals or plants, aiming to protect biodiversity and utilize it sustainably.
Additionally, the law mandated the issuance of a Ministerial Order from the Ministry of Environment, outlining the requirements and procedures for obtaining approval to establish a private nature reserve. This order was approved by the Cabinet on October 18, 2024, and published in the Official Gazette on October 25, 2024. It details the criteria applicants must meet, reasons for revocation of the reserve’s license, required financial capacity, and other stipulations.
Before listing these requirements, the Ministerial Order highlights various motivations for creating a private nature reserve, including protecting endangered or highly threatened species and preserving vital habitats as mandated by environmental laws.
Other motivations include supporting educational and long-term environmental research efforts focused on conservation, especially of threatened species or altered ecosystems. Additionally, the reserves are intended to aid in restoring biodiversity by studying and reversing human-caused damage.
Private nature reserves also contribute to environmental goals by protecting ecosystem functions, capturing and storing carbon, and supporting the management of ecosystem services. They complement state-owned reserves and expand conserved areas to foster biodiversity and sustainable resource management. Moreover, they promote habitat connectivity essential for species’ migration and resilience.
In Article 4, the Ministerial Order specifies the main requirements for anyone seeking to establish a private nature reserve, which include:
1. Application Letter: A formal request addressed to the government body responsible for managing national parks and reserves in Rwanda—currently the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
2. Environmental and Social Impact Report: A detailed study of the potential environmental and social impacts on surrounding communities.
3. Conservation and Management Plan: An outlined plan for the reserve’s conservation and sustainable management.
4. Project Outline: A documented description of the proposed reserve.
5. Land Title: A certified land deed designating the area for the nature reserve.
6. Sufficient Financial Capacity: Proof of adequate funding to manage the reserve for a minimum of five years.
7. Relevant Expertise: A certificate demonstrating necessary skills and expertise in conservation management.
8. Legal Compliance: A clear criminal record, with no history of wildlife trafficking or serious criminal offenses according to Rwandan or international law.
9. Application Fee: Proof of payment of a non-refundable application fee, as set by the governing body.
After the application is submitted, the responsible authority verifies its completeness and responds within 15 days, confirming whether all requirements have been met. Incomplete applications are returned to applicants, who are given a deadline for corrections. Failure to meet these requirements within the stipulated timeframe results in rejection of the application.
The Ministerial Order also states that the license to operate a private nature reserve is valid for five years, with an option for renewal.
Reasons for license suspension include unauthorized construction within the reserve, misuse of resources that counteract conservation goals, creating a security risk to neighboring communities, environmental degradation due to mismanagement, or any critical issues identified by the governing body.