📋 Tender Overview
Scope :
Once implemented, the project will see the park expanded by 25 per cent. Rwanda has embarked on a project to expand the Volcanoes National Park which is expected to cost $255 million (approx. 260bn), with a goal to ensure a better habitat for the majestic mountain gorillas. conservation venture will not only benefit the iconic species but also improve the lives of the communities living around the park and make visiting the gorillas an even more life-changing experience. This once in a generation initiative will expand the park by approximately 23 percent, increasing its size by 37.4 square kilometres (or 3,740 hectares). it will enhance the effective habitat functioning of the park.
With this initiative, there will be a new buffer zone of 6,620 hectares, which will be separating the park from the area where people live.
Thanks to the buffer zone, it is projected that the initiative will reduce human-wildlife conflict by 80 percent.
The project implementation consists of two phases, with the first phase focused on studies which started in 2018 and the second phase starting in 2022/2023 fiscal year and will cover a period of five years.
RDB indicated that the Volcanoes National Park is a fragile ecosystem and currently relatively small as it covers 160 square kilometres it is set to be expanded by a quarter of its current size
The Virunga Massif is a chain of volcanoes home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which covers the Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), the Virunga National Park (DR Congo) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda).
Community development
The recently initiated Conservation and Development Master Plan will combine policy, investment and business engagement opportunities to transform the economy in the landscape and secure sustainable livelihoods [through employment opportunities] for 17,000 people living in the area to be expanded.
With the collaboration of conservation partners, RDB indicated that a pilot project is under development to serve as a proof of concept of the program and will help determine if any adjustments to the implementation plan or adaptations to the program are necessary.
It includes park expansion that will result in the acquisition of 450 ha, a green village to host relocated 560 households and ensure livelihood improvement that will see 22 ha allocated to smart agriculture production and other income-generating activities for the community.
These will be complemented by the support of different off-farm business plans developed by the community.
A smart green village will be constructed and will have different components.
They include land productivity whereby 1000 sqm (a tenth of a hectare) per household will be used for agriculture production.
In order to manage space, it disclosed that houses in such villages will be constructed in a 4 in 1 design. This means that one house will accommodate four families.
Other components are infrastructure de
