Forest plantations and woodlots play a vital role in the livelihoods of the people of Rwanda. In fact, most of the remaining natural forests are currently protected either as national parks or as protection forest reserves. With the exception of few imported products, such as quality timber and industrial wood products, most forest products, such as fuelwood, local timber, building poles and others used in Rwanda come from forest plantations, woodlots and agroforestry. Despite the dramatic reduction of forest cover which occurred as a consequence of the anarchy and state collapse following the genocide of Tutsi in 1994, and the aftermath demand for new settlements and wood for reconstructing the country, the forest cover has been rising and it is targeted to reach 30% of the country by 2020. This report is a comprehensive study to characterise and document information on the current status, challenges, opportunities and options for future management of forest plantations and woodlots in Rwanda.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
African Forest Forum

Region
Africa

Biome
Tropical

Forest Type
Planted forest

Primary Designated Function
All