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Gishwati Forest forms part of Gishwati–Mukura National Park, a protected montane forest in western Rwanda within a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO MAB site. The park spans steep mountains (≈2,000–3,000 m) and a mosaic of dense montane forest, bamboo, grasslands, and wetlands. It safeguards headwaters feeding both the Congo and Nile basins and harbors rich flora and fauna, including endemic and threatened species such as eastern chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and numerous at-risk birds. Despite this value, the landscape suffered heavy degradation from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and settlement, spurring ongoing restoration to rebuild habitat connectivity. 

The communities surrounding Gishwati Forest in western Rwanda are predominantly rural and densely populated, consisting largely of smallholder farmers who depend on subsistence agriculture, livestock rearing, and forest-related resources for their livelihoods. These communities face persistent socio-economic challenges, including limited land availability, soil erosion on steep slopes, and vulnerability to climate variability. Historically, population pressure and resettlement programs contributed to significant deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Gishwati landscape. However, recent conservation and restoration initiatives under Gishwati-Mukura National Park have increasingly engaged local residents through community-based forest management, ecotourism opportunities, and environmental education. There is a gradual shift toward integrating conservation with livelihood improvement, although balancing human needs with ecosystem protection remains an ongoing challenge. 

This case examines Rwanda’s biosphere reserve and protected-area landscapes, asking how design and governance can jointly advance biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods for adjacent communities. 

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