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Lessons learned
The challenges to sustainable mountain development
can sometimes affect a whole country, as is the case in
Rwanda. There is a therefore a need for national level
response rather than mountain-specific approaches.
The green growth and climate resilience strategy
could focus more on the most vulnerable areas, but it
concerns the country as a whole. Mountains provide
indispensable services including water for irrigation
and hydropower energy and can contribute significantly
to green growth. When mountain ecosystems are well
managed, they contribute to climate change mitigation.
Recommendations
It is clear that Rwanda, as a low income and densely
populated country, faces many challenges in achieving
green growth and full climate change resilience.
However, notable steps have been taken, ranging
from policy responses to the implementation of good
practices on the ground. For a significant impact,
more good practices should be promoted, such as
investing more in watershed management to sustain
agriculture in mountainous areas. In addition, given
the rapid population growth and the high demand for
agricultural land, agroecosystem practices should be
adopted to simultaneously improve food security and
enhance environmental conservation.
Hilltop village overlooking Lake Ruhondo, Rwanda