Natural Monuments, as a protected area established in a natural environment, are under the governance of “Co-management” between the State and the Communities. Such a vision can only be applicable around a common action plan and program for the management of Natural Monuments.

It is within this framework, always under the support of GEF/UNDP, that INECN has undertaken consultations and consultations with populations and other stakeholders to develop a concerted plan for the management and development of Natural Monuments in Eastern Burundi.

The methodology that guided the development of this plan followed several steps. Initially, it was necessary to hold a two-day meeting with representatives of the communities at the level of the census hills and the administration of communes and areas and the various development partners. It was in this meeting that hills that should be concerned by the conservation activities of Natural Monuments were targeted. The participants in the meeting also defined a method for electing representatives who should participate in the future meeting to develop the Management and Development Plan.

In a second step, meetings were organized at hill level in which the participants were the whole population convened by the communal administration. After explanations of new directions of the State in the management of Natural Monuments by the Head of this protected area. The communities elected their representatives at the future meeting.

Thirdly, it was necessary to organize a three-day meeting with the elected representatives of the communities to draw up the plan for the management and development of natural monuments in eastern Burundi. The methodology used was a participatory diagnosis based on a guide document for the development of management and development plans prepared for this purpose.

The present management and development plan is therefore a consensus document between the State and the Communities and is the result of a highly inclusive participatory process. The implementation of this plan is therefore the mission of all stakeholders. However, the Government of Burundi must play the leading role in these activities for the conservation of Natural Monuments in the East and the development of coastal human environments.