Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
The Kivu Montagneux is characterized by unique mountains and hills. The rivers know how to make their way to reach Lake Kivu, which gave its name to the region. Kivu means fertile land.
Landscape along Lake Kivu towards KaleheFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
The proximity of the mountain forests which alternate with Lake Kivu and its many islands offers various opportunities for tourism, with a unique and attractive landscape, but the diversity of the topography is also favourable to biodiversity.
View of the Lwiro region and its surroundings from Mulangala (2021) by ako ntiboneraOriginal Source: Fondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Unique, but vulnerable landscape
Nevertheless, the further one goes from the mountains towards the lake, the more the degradation of the unique landscapes is accentuated by human activity and urbanization.
View of Lwiro and its surroundingsFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
In this highly vulnerable landscape, native trees are rapidly disappearing due to human activity, landslides and erosion. To counter this, local populations are developing resilience strategies: agricultural system, specific construction, etc.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
To conserve and preserve various endemic fish species of Lake Kivu, fishing is strictly prohibited in certain areas such as Nyakishi Bay here. It is in this bay that the spawning of the various species takes place.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Agropastoral landscape
The Kivu is known for its agropastoral activities. Thus, domestic animals such as goats, sheep and cows are commonly seen in rural areas. They are cared for by women and children.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Mountainous landscape, mild climate
Despite the sloping topography of Mountainous Kivu, the average temperatures favor agriculture. At the bottom of the hills, streams often flow from the mountains, such as the Lwiro River here in Mulangala.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
The landscape in Mountainous Kivu is marked in the plain by very rudimentary agriculture, with maize and beans being the main crops for commercial production.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Landscape conducive to coffee
In addition, coffee plantations thrive in the mountainous landscape. This commercial crop is rightly called "green gold" because of the income it generates for the inhabitants growing it.
Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Unique landscape, unique construction
The particular topography of the landscapes in mountainous Kivu has led to various construction strategies. The combination of wood with the galvanized sheet roof allows the houses to withstand the shocks of volcanic eruptions characteristic of the region.
Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Kalungu, a village on the mountain
Built on the mountain, the village of Kalungu is popular for its small commercial center and mineral traffic in Kivu. It is the gateway to Goma in North Kivu via Minova.
Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Houses perched on the hills are also characteristic in Kalehe territory, as here in Kalungu towards North Kivu. Relics of certain trees such as Markhamia lutea help support the foundations of wooden houses.
Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Nyabibwe, a mining town
Typical of Kivu Montagneux, the commercial center of Nyabibwe is located at the foot of a mountain forest in Kalehe territory. The small town center is overcrowded and owes its prosperity to a few mining quarries in its surroundings. Its topography is not without danger.
Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Zone minière
In mountainous Kivu, the volcanic rocks are exposed like open-pit minerals. In many places, they prevent the development of road infrastructure, making travel difficult and costly for people.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree, Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Landscapes, men on the alert
As a result of the armed conflicts that the province of Kivu has experienced over the past decades, the presence of men in uniform often agitates the civilian population. A small signal is enough to arouse and mobilize the entire population.
Kivu Ethnobotanical GardenFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
The lake port of Minova
On the border between South Kivu and North Kivu, the center of Minova is located both on the plain and at the foot of the mountains. With the construction of the new port, a fast link is established between the two provinces via Lake Kivu.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
View of Lake Kivu in Minova and its surroundings
This mountainous landscape along Lake Kivu in central Minova borders the province of North Kivu. The population often chooses to live in agglomerations at the foot of the mountains along Lake Kivu, with access on the national road nr 2, Bukavu-Goma.
Kivu Ethnobotanical Garden - Tree Landscapes and RitesFondation Jardin Ethnobotanique Kivu
Agroforestry or modified landscape
With the rapid disappearance of the forest, agroforestry is spreading around protected areas. It gives another physiognomy to the traditional landscape.
Indeed, agroforestry favors the monoculture of fast-growing exotic species, often for their commercial value (e.g., Eucalyptus), but which often pose a threat to traditional native species.
Marie Chakupewa Fundiko, Norbert Rugamika, Akonkwa Ntibonera
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