Dubbed “Human Rights and Conservation” , the module will combine social law, conservation related laws, social requirements in efficient natural resources management and protocol to be considered in appropriate land use.

Experts revel that integrating human rights principles in conservation, motivates people to engage in biodiversity conservation.

The Principle of IPRC Kitabi, Richard Nasasira has said that the module was launched drawing an inspiration from a report presented worldwide indicating that some citizens’ rights are violated during conservation efforts.

“Citizens and employees working in parks are sometimes deprived of their rights because of conservation efforts. We have often heard park employees killed [by wild animals]. It is apparent that their rights to live are deprived under such circumstances. We also heard citizens prohibited to consume products sourced from the environment and damages caused by animals in protected areas which deprive them of their rights to food sufficiency among others,” he said.

“Considering our responsibility to impart knowledge in the areas of environment conservation to ensure long-lasting impact, we were interested to introduce this module. Everyone needs a deeper understanding of related components, because conservation is a collective responsibility,” added Nasasira.

The Head of wildlife conservation department at IPRC Kitabi, Isidore Ndagijimana, said that conservation related components were already taught at the college but with no special emphasis.

“We expect to change the existing methodology of teaching related courses to receive attention they deserve because we are convinced that a student shares with parents what he/she learnt from school,” he noted.

Ndagijimana explained that practicing students will have time to enlighten communities surrounding protected areas on their rights, responsibilities and environment related laws.

Speaking to the media, students from the college expressed delight for the new module expected to impart them with deeper knowledge on how human rights and environment conservation should coexist.

“We would learn courses related to human rights in nature conservation but did not go deeper into much detail. The new module will specifically enlighten the relationship between human rights and conservation. This will help people to enjoy better livelihoods and reduce threats on biodiversity,” said Pacifique Sugira.

Aline Dufitumukiza, a finalist student at IPRC Kitabi stressed that the module comes in handy for students to perform well on the labour market in nature conservation.

The launch of new module which took place at IPRC Kigali on Thursday 25th November 2021, brought together students, government officials, representatives from organizations with interventions in conservation while others attended virtually.

Richard Muvunnyi, Head of Wildlife Veterinary Unit, Research and Monitoring at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) commended IPRC Kitabi for the efforts highlighting that it is a great milestone in conservation efforts.

He explained that maintaining equilibrium in nature conservation and human rights has a great impact to sustainable development.

The human rights and conservation module is a result of a partnership with different stakeholders including U.S Fish and Wildlife Services, USAID, US Forest Department of Agriculture, CARPE, RIFFEAC among others.

Based in Nyamagabe district, IPRC Kitabi has an advanced diploma programme in wildlife and conservation technologies.

Participants of the event in a group photo.

Participants of the launch during a panel discussion.

The Principle of IPRC Kitabi, Richard Nasasira has said that the module was launched drawing an inspiration from a report presented worldwide indicating that some citizens’ rights are violated during conservation efforts.