Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to assess the contribution of protected areas to the socio-
economic wellbeing of local community in Rwanda. The specific objectives were to
determine the socio-economic benefits of Virunga National Park to the surrounding
community, to assess the extent to which the protected areas contribute to the local
community, to assess the socio-economic challenges facing Virunga National Park
surrounding community, to find out the strategies to address the challenges facing Virunga
National Park surrounding community. The study targeted the people living in the
surrounding community and data were collected using questionnaire, interview and
documentation. Collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal
that protected areas safeguard and foster the biodiversity in ecosystems which has long
served as important dietary components such as fish, plants, fruits, honey and much more for
local communities. Virunga National Park a s a protected area provides employment
opportunities to the people in the surrounding community, which help them to maintain a
healthy economic growth. There is also full security control in the region due to the activities,
which help people in the surrounding community to move and work freely during the day
and overnight. Virunga National Park, a protected area, has enhanced property values to the
extent that surrounding community benefits from their plots, houses and other assets in a
number of ways. The findings of the study indicate a strong correlation between the protected
areas and the socio-economic wellbeing of the people in the surrounding community.
However, the findings indicate that exist some challenges persist. These include migration of
wild animals, forest shrinkage, human settlement, habitat fragmentation amongst others.
