In collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute France
The creation of an ecological corridor in Burundi is crucial for Savage Lands and Jane Goodall. The protection and preservation of its unique wildlife, particularly the chimpanzee populations found in the southern region of the country. This area is home to the last remaining groups of chimpanzees, whose habitats are under significant threat due to deforestation, frequent bushfires, agricultural activities, and village expansion. As their natural habitats shrink, these chimpanzees are forced to move into smaller forest galleries, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict, sometimes with deadly consequences on both sides.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute France, aims to restore chimpanzee habitats by working alongside local communities, ensuring their active participation in conservation efforts. This project spans from the southern border of Burundi (with Tanzania) all the way to the Bururi Forest Nature Reserve, creating a vital ecological corridor.
Key objectives of the project:
- Tree Planting: Planting 1,000 fruit trees, including 500 avocado and 500 mango trees. This initiative not only contributes to restoring the ecosystem but also improves the living conditions of local communities by providing additional resources.
- Assisted Natural Regeneration of Mount Ganza: Planting 6,000 indigenous trees to restore degraded land. This is the first time that assisted natural regeneration has been used in Burundi as a method to restore forests.
- Community Awareness and Protection: Engaging local communities in the protection of the ecological corridor, particularly in areas like Mpakanira, Baraga, Shuza, Kabonga, and Mperehere, through education and outreach programs.
- Support for Local Youth: Providing equipment and training for the youth football team, known as the “young protectors of Mount Ganza.” Each player plants and cares for 10 trees, making them active “guardians” of their environment.
- Eco-Guard Training: Training community eco-guards to support the OBPE (Office Burundais de la Protection de l’Environnement) in monitoring chimpanzee habitats in reserves like Rumonge, Vyanda, and the Mpakanira-Baraga region near the Tanzanian border.
Additional Information:
- Mount Ganza’s Vegetation: For over 30 years, Mount Ganza’s vegetation has been devastated by bushfires each dry season. However, the dry season of 2024 marked an exception, as the mountain was saved from fire due to combined monitoring and awareness efforts. Since the mountain was declared a protected area in October 2023, natural vegetation is gradually returning, with pioneering tree species starting to emerge. This effort is part of a broader initiative to foster “assisted natural regeneration” to support the growth of 6,000 saplings, which will further restore the area.
- Long-term Goals: The project also seeks to establish new protected areas and replicate successful actions, working closely with local authorities to secure and sustain biodiversity in Burundi.
Mission:
The primary goal of this initiative is to foster wildlife and flora conservation, promote sustainable land management, and strengthen the connection between local communities and nature, all in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Global Objective: The project aims to establish an ecological corridor across all of Burundi, incorporating wildlife conservation, sustainable land management practices, and fostering a deeper connection between communities and nature. We are committed to ensuring that sustainable development occurs in harmony with nature.
