As climate change continues to affect the world’s natural resources, Rwanda’s cultural heritage is not immune to its effects. The country’s rich cultural sites, indigenous trees, and plants are under threat, making immediate action necessary to protect them.

Rwanda joins the world to mark World Heritage Day, observed annually on April 18 to bring awareness to important cultural monuments and sites. According to Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA), climate change has led to the disappearance of indigenous species, such as rare trees used in traditional medicines and crafts.

ALSO READ: A closer look at Rwandan heritage that needs to be repatriated

Additionally, soil degradation and erosion in wetlands and riverbeds are further damaging some archaeological sites, and even historical monuments and buildings are at risk from climate change, posing challenges for conservation efforts.

Local heritage sites impacted

Climate change is having a significant impact on some heritage sites in Rwanda, according to RCHA.

The Iriba rya Nyirarucyaba on Kabuye Mountain in Gakenke District is one of them, where the fountain that used to be permanent is now occasional due to irregular and insufficient rainfall. The bush with indigenous species and herbs in Kageyo, Ngororero District, known as Imiko y’abakobwa, has also disappeared due to recurrent droughts, even though the land is not cultivated yet.

In Rutunga, Gasabo district, the trees umurehe and umuvumu, also known as Amarembo yo ku Mana y’umuganura or y’umutsima, have dried and not regenerated. Moreover, the small swamp in Nyakabuye in Rusizi District, known as Amariba ya Bukunzi, in which the ritual horns used by rainmakers in Bukunzi were installed, is considerably drying and reducing in size. RCHA says it is threatened with complete disappearance.

Similarly, the small bush with indigenous species, Ivubiro ry’i Huro, within which the rainmaking pot ivubiro is installed, is also threatened with disappearance. This leaves the pot exposed to high risk. The Amashyuza ya Bugarama (Bugarama Hot Spring), a big swamp of hot water that used to be a sacred and traditional medicinal area suddenly disappeared (drew under the soil) recently.

Tackling the protection and preservation efforts of these sites, Robert Masozera, the Director General of RCHA, explained that once the heritage sites have been fully documented and submitted for inscription on the national heritage list, RCHA works to advocate for their protection with local authorities and landowners while waiting for the ministerial order to be promulgated.

He also noted that signposting of the sites has already been completed, and ongoing efforts to signpost additional sites will continue.

ALSO READ: Preserving cultural heritage is continous

Masozera further highlighted measures being taken to preserve heritage sites and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

He said RCHA has identified over 500 heritage sites and fully documented 110 of them, with a book in the pipeline, adding that two botanical gardens have been established to preserve indigenous and endangered plant species that capture carbon dioxide, helping to reduce the impact of climate change.

Masozera further noted that RCHA conducts research and works with local authorities to provide guidance and technical expertise for heritage site preservation, adding that they hold educational and community outreach programmes, including mobilisation campaigns to plant trees and promote the use of solar energy and waste sorting system to fight against pollution.

Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association is one of the organisations that has set out on a mission to restore the country’s native trees.

According to Cecile Kayitanirwa, Habitat Restoration Manager at the organisation, climate change not only poses a threat to indigenous trees which may lead to their extinction but can also contribute to global warming given that these trees have serious implications for carbon reduction and oxygen production.

To address this issue, the RWCA is growing and planting indigenous trees outside of protected areas, where they can be easily accessed by local communities. They are also conserving the seeds of these trees to ensure their preservation for future generations.

ALSO READ: How Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association is restoring habitat using indigenous trees

Kayitanirwa called on the community to play a role in tree conservation, recognising the value of trees such as Cordia Africana (umuvugangoma), which is used to make traditional instruments, Erythrina (umuko/umurinzi), historically planted at the entrance of houses for protection, and polyscias fulva (drum tree/umwungo), used for crafts and traditional medicine.