Pressure on Kibira National Park from tea farms and developmentCEFR B1
14 Feb 2026
Adapted from Laura, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Ravi N Jha, Unsplash
The article by Arthur Bizimana, first published on Ibihe.org on November 25, 2025, describes how tea plantations and other development are affecting Kibira National Park in northwest Burundi. The park lies near areas where the Mpanda hydroelectric power station is under construction. Large-scale land use by local communities, production companies and state institutions has reduced forest cover and forced wildlife to move.
Residents say chimpanzees, gorillas and warthogs were common when the forest was dense but are now scarce in sectors like Rwegura. Some studies estimate the park now holds more than 200 chimpanzees, down from around 500 before deforestation. A 2013 scientific article reported that some chimpanzees died and others moved to the Mabayi area next to Nyungwe in Rwanda.
The Burundi Tea Office plantation employs more than 1,000 salaried workers and 7,500 to 8,000 day labourers. Ecologist Léonidas Nzigiyimpa says workers sometimes enter the park, make noise and leave waste. The NGO Conservation and Community Change (3C) reports more traps as development and population grow. Officials say the park is guarded 24 hours and illegal entrants can be arrested. Researchers call for poverty reduction, new local income projects, training and stronger community involvement to protect Kibira's biodiversity.
Difficult words
- plantation — large farm where tea or other crops growplantations
- deforestation — loss of trees and forest cover
- biodiversity — variety of living plants and animals
- ecologist — scientist who studies plants and animals
- salaried — paid with a regular fixed amount
- trap — device to catch animals or peopletraps
- day labourer — worker hired for short daily workday labourers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What new local income projects might help reduce people entering the park? Give one or two examples.
- How could tea plantations change their work to protect the forest and wildlife?
- Do you think guarding the park 24 hours is enough to protect animals? Why or why not?
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