Located in the Imbo plain, the Rusizi National Park (PNRzi) is one of Burundi's protected areas. Despite the strong pressures it is under, this park remains one of the most spectacular ecosystems in Burundi. Currently, changes in its environment are mainly observed with the villagization in its surroundings, which leads to the increasing stress on its various ecosystems (aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial) and the awareness of the fragility of its ecosystems, in this case the Hyphaene forest.

Article 26 of Act No. 1/10 of 30 May 2011 on the creation and management of protected areas in Burundi states that “for each protected area, it is mandatory to develop, in consultation with stakeholders, a plan for the management and development of the protected area with reference and progress indicators”. Thus, as part of establishing the effective management of this park, the OBPE, with technical and financial support from the Pays de la Loire Region, commissioned the development of the PNRzi management and development plan for the period 2015 - 2020.

A management plan is a tool that allows management to be defined, programmed and controlled in an objective and transparent manner. Its writing makes it possible to take full advantage of all positive and negative experiences, in a process of gradual adaptation, as the evaluations are carried out. The participation of all stakeholders is a guarantee for its implementation. It should be noted that in 1996, a management plan was drawn up but was unfortunately not implemented due to lack of financial resources and ownership by managers.