<p>​Since the 1960s, massive tracts of the landscape have been continually converted or encroached into various socio-economic purposes such as settling people and agricultural production. This has led to the loss of critical habitats for biodiversity which is threatening the survival of certain species as well as ecosystem services (NBSAP, 2016). These natural habitats/ecosystems also provide essential goods and services that support Rwanda’s economic growth and peoples’ livelihoods. This target, therefore, seeks to provide maximum protection to these areas in order to safeguard the biodiversity and ecosystem services.</p>