Bamboo Encroachment at Buhanga Eco-park Causes Disputes and Losses for Local Farmers

The bamboo planted at the entrance of Buhanga Eco-park, located in Nkotsi sector, Musanze district, Bikara village, remains a contentious issue among the nearby residents and farmers who claim it is causing them losses by damaging their crops.

Farmers working near this bamboo plantation state that it has encroached beyond the boundaries of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) property into their fields, resulting in reduced crop yields.

They say that for over 40 meters, no crops grow due to the roots and shade of the bamboo overwhelming their plants, preventing them from growing and thriving.

Joseph Namudari, one of the farmers interviewed by Teradignews.rw, who farms near this bamboo area, says that they no longer get any harvests from their fields due to the bamboo’s influence.

He said, “Undoubtedly, you can see for yourselves that we harvest nothing here. We plant, but we don’t reap. The bamboo’s shade and roots ruin everything. Planting crops here is a waste of time; there’s no yield at all.”

These residents explain that before the bamboo was planted at the edges of their fields, they used to harvest abundantly, including beans and cereals. However, for over eight years now, they have not seen any yields because the bamboo planted by RDB has spread into their fields, and they are not allowed to cut it.

Nyirantungane, an elderly woman who planted maize that failed to grow due to the bamboo, said, “This bamboo is causing us losses, and we are not allowed to cut it. It encroaches into our fields, and there’s nothing we can do because if we cut it, we would be arrested. We informed the Nkotsi sector administration, who promised to advocate for us, but eight years have passed without any changes.”

In addition to farmers losing their crops, homeowners and business owners in the area report that their roofs deteriorate quickly due to the bamboo, forcing them to spend on frequent repairs, which hampers their progress.

Ernest Hategekimana stated that since the bamboo was planted, he has had to replace his roof twice, and even now, there’s a tree growing through his roof due to the bamboo.

He said, “I have replaced my roof twice, and the current one is already deteriorating. The doors facing the bamboo have also rotted. There’s now a tree growing on my roof due to the bamboo. When I tried to remove it, I found it had already penetrated the roof and was rooting into the wall, so I left it. We are just incurring losses.”

These residents are asking the authorities to intervene or compensate them for the damage caused by the bamboo since they cannot cut it down as it is a part of the Buhanga Eco-park, which they expect to generate significant revenue for the country.

Buhanga Eco-Park is a scenic site located in Nkotsi sector, Bikara village, Barizo cel
Musanze district mayor, Janvier Ramuli, acknowledged the problem and stated that he would work with RDB to find a solution.

He said, “This issue is on a site managed by RDB. We will collaborate, visit the site, and assess the problem. Bamboo is a rapidly growing plant, and what the residents are saying is true. We will advocate, bring the tourism site management team, connect them with the residents, and then evaluate whether the bamboo should be reduced or moved to a less problematic area, or if the residents should be compensated.”

Rwanda’s parks are managed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), which encourages people living near them to avoid damaging the biodiversity within these parks to conserve the environment and continue attracting tourists.

Buhanga Eco-Park is a scenic site located in Nkotsi sector, Bikara village, Barizo cell, in front of the sector offices, about 300 meters from the paved road leading there.