In order to ensure adequate protection of protected areas, Burundi has put in place legal instruments, the most important of which are the Decree-Law of 1980 establishing national parks and natural reserves, the Forest Code in 1985 and the Environmental Code in

2000.

It is clear that protected areas are in continuous degradation due mainly to cultural clearing, uncontrolled harvesting of biological resources, bush fires and the introduction of foreign species. This state of affairs is at the origin of the various conflicts between local communities and protected area managers due to the fact that the interests of local communities have not been taken into account in the management systems of these protected areas.

Faced with these conflicts, Burundi is currently convinced that good management of protected areas must involve local communities. It is within this framework that Burundi has begun an activity to develop plans for the management and development of protected areas around a process of consultation and consultation with local communities and other stakeholders.