After the closure of The Great Ape Trust/Gishwati Area Conservation Program (GACP), an international Non-Government Organization that conserved Gishwati from 2008-2011, the main concern of FHA was to continue to inhibit the illegal use of Gishwati forest resources. To reinforce the protection of the Gishwati forest, in June 2013, FHA launched the « Community Forest Protection Initiative » (CFPI), a new approach that aimed at helping communities around the forest to play an active role in its protection. Six Community Forest Protection Initiative Agents (eco-guards) were selected by inhabitants of their Cells. The role of these Agents is to patrol the forest and to educate local people about its importance and its biodiversity. In 2014, in collaboration with Rutsiro District, FHA established six community committees to support and monitor the work of the Agents and to help the agents to report crimes to law enforcement officials. The active contribution of all stakeholders from the local community is a critical element to the success of FHA’s effort to protect Gishwati forest, together with a clear perspective on each players’ responsibilities and duties.

Up to October 2019, FHA was employing 6 eco-guards who was patrolling Gishwati natural forest on daily basis with support of 6 Community Forest Protection Committees whose role was to monitor the work of eco-guards and report non-sustainable forest use to the local leaders and the National Police.

Briefly, FHA was planning the work of eco-guards; paying and providing materials and equipment to eco-guards; assisting eco-guards and Cells’ officials in preparing and sharing reports with stakeholders; preparing and organizing regular stakeholder meetings to monitor the progress and discuss issues.

In 2015, the Government of Rwanda upgraded the Gishwati and Mukura natural forests to a national park thanks to FHA work and advocacy. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has taken over the management of this new and fourth park in Rwanda, Gishwati Mukura National Park. RDB deployed rangers in the areas. With this larger protection we are confident that the remaining issues will be stopped.

To unsure the sustainability of the achievements made FHA is collaborating with RDB in:

1. - Community education and outreach around GMNP;
2. - Reducing human-wildlife conflicts: FHA continue mitigating crop raiding conflict and supporting local people to improve livelihoods through income generation and capacity building;
3. - Provide technical advice to RDB on GMNP biodiversity, ecosystem services, local people and research;
4. - Investigating opportunities to strengthen the management of the GMNP through establishing relationships with donors and relevant stakeholders
5. - Supporting the Community Tourism Development and Management as alternative to the forest resources: FHA coordinates Community Tourism around GMNP and continue supporting community groups in eco-tourism development and management;