Impact of Forest Landscape Restoration on Socio-Economic and Environmental Benefits in Rwanda, a Case Study of Fumbwe Sector in Rwamagana District

The study assessed the impact of forest landscape restoration on socio-economic and environmental benefits in Rwanda, focusing on the Fumbwe Sector in Rwamagana District. It aimed to evaluate the current status of forest restoration, its benefits to the community, and the relationship between forest restoration and socio-economic and environmental outcomes. Using a descriptive and correlational design with questionnaires for data collection, the findings indicated that tree species are chosen based on soil type and altitude, with a high mean score of 3.49, suggesting good community practices. Overall, forest restoration in Fumbwe is well-managed, reflected by an average mean of 3.90. Regarding socio-economic and environmental benefits, restoration efforts were found to significantly combat erosion and protect soil, with a high average mean of 3.55. The results also revealed a strong positive correlation (0.713) between forest restoration and its socio-economic and environmental impacts, indicating substantial benefits to the community. The study concluded that forest landscape restoration contributes meaningfully to rural livelihoods and environmental protection. It recommended enhancing community involvement, planting diverse tree species suitable to the local environment, and enforcing regulations to prevent illegal forest harvesting