Water resources: Impact of environmental policy through property regimes on rural livelihoods around Lake Muhazi in Rwanda

Water resources in their natural state represent almost the only source of water used for all household purposes, especially for rural communities from Developing countries. Hence, these natural resources constitute a very important asset for the livelihoods of these communities. Changing the property regime of water resources might affect significantly the livelihoods assets of local population, principally those living on the peripheries of the natural water resources. The present research paper aims to analyse the impact of the national environmental policy on water resources through property regimes on livelihoods assets of rural communities, living specifically in the periphery of Lake Muhazi in the Eastern province of Rwanda. The main concepts applicable to this study are environmental property regimes, environmental policy instruments, and livelihoods assets. The study captured their mutual influence on the property rights of local population living in the surroundings of that lake. Findings from field research have revealed that the policy is implemented, and its outcomes on property rights are evident. By losing their property rights, the local population in general and the poor in particular have lost their endowments in relation to the use of Lake Muhazi. It was realized that the poor were excluded by the new livelihood strategies in place for the conservation of the lake.