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This study spatially distributed landslide susceptibility and assessed its impact on community livelihoods in Gakenke district of Rwanda. The Global Positioning System (GPS) located recent landslides from which inventory map was built. Six conditioning factors: elevation, slope, land use and land cover, rainfall, soil texture and lithology were analyzed by Geographic Information System (GIS) to map landslide susceptibility. The results showed that Janja, Muzo, Kamubuga, Kivuruga and Muyongwe sector are highly susceptible to landslide. The elevation, slope, poor land management and rainfall are the key drivers to landslide in this area. The findings indicated that the residents are not aware of landslide causal factors due to low level of education and trainings. Also, rain harvest which could minimize the runoff is not yet practiced; this in turn impacts on people’s livelihoods by killing/injuring people, damaging their infrastructures and natural resources. Therefore, it is suggested to empower rainwater harvest, deliver education and training to enhance community awareness, and ensure that the local community is involved in planning and execution of landside risk reduction schedule.

The main intention of this study was to assess the solid waste management challenges and their impacts on people’s livelihood. Specifically, the study evaluated the methods and techniques used for waste collection, transportation and deposit to the landfill by households, and companies in Kinyinya sector. A survey was conducted to collect data from household, waste collection company and field. Household waste collection, transportation and deposit illustrated different challenges which impede the sustainable treatment and disposal of waste. Findings pointed out poor deposit of wastes, failure to pay waste collection fees, poor assessment before selecting waste landfill and poor working condition of companies in charge of waste collection, transportation as the major challenges toward waste management in Kinyinya. The findings illustrated that only 33.25% of households separated decay from undecayed waste and 66.75% couldn’t perform such activities. The findings indicated that members of some households suffered waste borne diseases from poor waste management. The linear correlation coefficient has shown 84.5% of correlation level between waste management challenges and people’s livelihood (r = 0.845) and this correlation is statistically significant. Thus, poor waste management is one among factors of poor people’s livelihood. The adaptation of segregation of waste at the household, strengthening company capacity and training workers at the landfill would save life and reduce exposure of both household and landfill workers.

Air pollution is among the leading global risks for mortality and responsible for increasing risk for chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of industrial zone air pollution on Masoro community and identify some health problems which are experienced in the communities. The key informants were selected using a purposive sampling technique and random sampling based on polluted areas. During this research, Kibagabaga hospital was consulted to identify different illness associated with air pollution in Ndera industrial zone. Respondents illustrated that a great part of emission came from industry, related activities and vehicles. The findings from the hospital illustrated that the respiratory, hypertension and diabetes dominated the illness in community due to air pollution from industrial zone, which was confirmed in this research with reference to the survey results. Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental threats and has been implicated for several adverse cardiovascular effects including arterial hypertension and diabetes. Air contamination provokes oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and autonomic nervous system imbalance that subsequently induce endothelial dysfunction and vasoconstriction leading to increased blood pressure. The respondents confirmed that the communities are aware of pollution and experienced the consequences of pollution such as cancer and other complicated illness.

Pesticides and inorganic fertilizers applied in agriculture are key factors which affect biodiversity, especially bees, butterfly and other pollinators. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of farming practices on honey production in boundary of Gishwati Forest National Park in Rwanda. Survey was conducted to collect data from 2000 year to 2018 year from 51 members grouped in UNICOAPIGI beekeeping and 73 members of JYAMBERE agricultural cooperatives to establish the impact of agriculture practice on honey production. The results showed that the change in agricultural inputs from 2000 to 2018 (R2 = 0.901) resulted in high corn yield and consequently induced honey reduction (R2 = 0.75). The correlation coefficients for pesticides and inorganic fertilizers used in corn production had strong negative effects on honey production {γ3 = -0.06 for chemical fertilizers (X3) and γ4 = -0.42 for pesticides (X4)}. JYAMBERE Agricultural cooperative with 75.78% of farmers reported that they used pesticides and inorganic fertilizers in corn production. However, 51 beekeepers grouped in UNICOAPIGI cooperative reported a serious decline of honey production from 27 Kg to 6 Kg of honey per hive after the 2008 year, which is suspected to be mainly the effect from applications of pesticides and fertilizers in corn production. The findings illustrated that the roles of honeybees as pollinator exposed them to toxic, especially pesticides applied in agriculture in boundary of Gishwati national forest reserve, therefore, beekeepers proposed that protection of forests and park is not only sufficient to reach sustainable conservation of bee biodiversity but also requires determining the land use pattern and socio-political factors around the Gishwati forest reserve.

This research was conducted on the assessment of the use of hillside rainwater harvesting ponds on Agricultural Production in Unicoopagi cooperative union located in Nyamigina cell, Tare sector of Nyamagabe District. The research involved both primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected using questionnaire, interview and observation while secondary data was derived from existing document dealing with rainwater harvesting pond at national and worldwide. The results from collected data showed that the level of adoption of rain water harvesting ponds was used by 51.5% farmers; the main reason of failing level of RWH ponds is due to small plot size of farmers; and the main factors contributing to the use of this technology include land acquisition and irrigation. It is further revealed that the use of rain water harvesting pond impacted positively; the agriculture production on 0.5 hectares per 4 years, has generated the income of 17,772,800 Rwandan Francs for non-irrigated plot, while the same plot irrigated with the use of rain water harvested the income increased up to 20,296,450 Rwandan Francs. Beside this rain water harvesting ponds has some observed negative effect among water users that include social conflicts, accident and breeding of mosquitoes with percentage equivalent to 41%, 27% and 32% respectively. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show that the amount of agriculture production and generated income was significantly different between adopted and non-adopted rain water harvesting techniques. The implication of these findings is that the adoption of rainwater harvesting ponds presents a way forward for reducing rural poverty. With the increase of rainfall variability and evaporation due to climate change, rain water harvesting will become a key intervention in adaptation and in reducing vulnerabilities of crop water stress. Therefore, extent knowledge in RWH techniques needs to be considered as an important, manageable resource in water management policies, strategies and plans. Considering that farmer’s perception in increasing crop yield is due to rain water harvesting, this will encourage the adoption of this techniques. Thus for the RWH techniques to be effective and bring higher return to farmers, it should goes hand in hand with other improved agriculture Techniques and Agro- inputs uses such as Land consolidation, improved seeds, pesticide and fertilizers.

Cultivation on steep slopes without any kind of soil conservation methods causes’ major erosion phenomenon, in Nyabihu District of Rwanda radical terraces has been implemented in order to decrease soil erosion effect. This study aimed at assessing the impact of this radical terracing on the soil chemical properties. Soil samples was collected before and after terracing and analyzed for pH, organic matter, available phosphorous, exchangeable calcium, magnesium and potassium; cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen and total exchangeable acidity. The pH and organic matter was analyzed respectively using a pH-meter and calcinations method, while the available phosphorous were obtained using the MEHLICH III method, exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ by titrimetric, potassium, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen and total exchangeable acidity were determined using the K-kit method, Nessler method, mineralization and titrimetric method respectively. The results from the soil samples analyzed showed that terracing have an impact on soil chemical properties of the soil. All the studied properties decreased except the total exchangeable acidity which increased, therefore, the soil after terracing needs improvement of its fertility and productivity; through sufficient agricultural inputs both mineral and organic.