Sustainable agriculture and agroforestry combined with political advocacy for improved regulation of fishing in Lake Kivu are helping restore coastal forests and aquatic habitats in the Gulf of Kabuno. Reforestation efforts also aim to improve the carbon storage potential of the surrounding area to counter Lake Kivu’s high rates of carbon and methane emissions.

Nature-based Intervention:

The Program to support Arable and Livestock Farmers for Local Development (PAEDE) is working to train local community members in more sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, communities are engaging in reforestation projects using agroforestry species to help improve the carbon storage potential of the area. These reforestation efforts also help preserve endangered bees and fingerlings. In order to help protect aquatic species, PAEDE has introduced riparian sugar cane and seaweed which provide suitable environments to protect fish and other wildlife. Furthermore, in order to advance an enabling regulatory environment for these developments, PAEDE also advocates for legal changes to better regulate fishing, including in protected areas on the shoreline of the Gulf of Kabuno.

Overview of context and outcomes:

Ecosystems on the Gulf of Kabuno shores are threatened by deforestation, habitat destruction, and the spillover effects of unsustainable fishing in Lake Kivu.