The present study is part of the Project “Towards effective awareness-raising for awareness for the conservation of biodiversity”. This Project is the result of the “Program for research, information exchange, awareness-raising and conservation of biodiversity in Burundi” initiated under the memorandum of understanding between the Burundian Office for Environmental Protection (OBPE) formerly National Institute for Environment and Nature Conservation (INECN) and the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium (IRSNB).

In Burundi, the conservation of areas protected by public authorities has long been characterized by coercive management that prevents local populations from using the natural resources found there. This is due to the existence of laws governing protected areas that do not take into account the survival needs of populations.

Today, it is clear that the biodiversity of protected areas is in continuous deterioration with various conflicts between local communities and protected areas. This conflict is linked to the fact that the needs and interests of communities have not been taken into account in protected area management systems. Currently, we realize in Burundi that good management of the 16 protected areas must necessarily involve local communities and other stakeholders.