Despite its reputation as a conservation success story, Rwanda faces an urgent threat its rich biodiversity is slipping away under pressure from human activity, climate change and habitat loss. In the heart of Africa, Rwanda is often praised as a model of environmental recovery and reforestation. But behind the rolling green hills and flourishing national parks lies a growing concern that few are talking about an accelerating loss of biodiversity that threatens the very soul of this “land of a thousand hills.” A growing silence in the forest Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura forests, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are home to rare and endangered species such as the Eastern chimpanzee and Albertine Rift endemic birds. But conservationists warn that even these protected areas are not immune to encroachment, illegal logging and climate instability. “I used to wake up to birdsong every morning,” says Jacqueline Uwimana, a schoolteacher in Nyamagabe district. “Now, the silence is deafening. The forest feels emptier.” Jacqueline’s words echo a growing fear among rural Rwandans who have lived in harmony with nature for generations. As traditional ecological knowledge fades, so do the species it once helped protect. Dr. Jean-Claude Nkurunziza, conservation ecologist, University of Rwanda Q: How serious is the biodiversity loss in Rwanda? A: “It’s very serious. Rwanda has made progress in tree planting and restoring landscapes, but biodiversity goes beyond just trees. Many species especially amphibians, insects, and small mammals are declining unnoticed. Our ecosystems are under stress due to land pressure, pesticide use and changing rainfall patterns.” Q: What species are most at risk? A: “Endemic species like the Grauer’s swamp warbler and the golden monkey are under real threat. Amphibians, particularly, are declining at an alarming rate due to pollution and disease.” Q: What needs to happen to reverse this trend? A: “We need stronger community-based conservation programs. Local people must see the value in protecting biodiversity—not just in terms of tourism, but in agriculture, medicine, and climate resilience. Education is key, as is funding for biodiversity monitoring.” Testimony from a local farmer “We used to find frogs and butterflies all over the fields. They were signs the land was healthy,” says Emmanuel Habimana, a farmer in Rutsiro. “Now the soil is dry, and even the bees are fewer. It’s not just animals disappearing it’s our way of life.” The loss of biodiversity is not just an ecological issue it’s a human one. It affects food security, water quality, health and resilience to climate change. Rwanda’s efforts in reforestation and conservation are commendable, but the fight to protect its unique biodiversity is far from over. Rwandans, conservationists, and policymakers must come together now before the whispers of the wild are lost forever. Greater investment in environmental education, stronger legal protections, and locally driven conservation solutions are urgently needed.
Whispers of a vanishing Eden: Rwanda’s silent biodiversity crisis
