Rwanda Expands Volcanoes National Park Under $300 Million Project

The five-year Volcanoes Community Resilience Project (VCRP), launched in 2023 and scheduled to run through 2028, aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict, preserve biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of residents in areas prone to floods and landslides.

The park, currently covering 16,000 hectares, will grow by 3,740 hectares, a 23% increase, to give wildlife more space and reduce tensions with local communities. Residents living in the expansion zone are being relocated to a model settlement called “Smart Green Village,” where 510 families will receive housing and training in modern, sustainable agriculture.

Reforestation and afforestation are central to the project, with more than 86,000 trees already planted. Radical and contour terraces are being constructed to prevent soil erosion, while 10,000 water tanks and 10,000 cows are being provided to improve food security.

Flood monitoring systems have been installed on rivers in the Vunga corridor, with 15 stations already measuring water levels and flow rates to reduce disaster risks. The Rwanda Environment Management Authority and Rwanda Water Resources Board are leading the environmental and water management efforts, alongside the Rwanda Development Board and the Meteorology Agency.

The VCRP combines ecological restoration, climate resilience, and community development to protect one of Rwanda’s most iconic natural regions. Officials say the project is a model for balancing conservation with human development, while safeguarding both wildlife and people from the impacts of climate change.