The wetlands leading out of and into many of the lakes are irrigated for rice and sugar cane fields, and the surrounding hillsides are developed for diverse agricultural production.

In the Murehe Forest there were conflicts between officials, refugees, returnees and the Batwa ethnic group, large areas had been cleared to grow sorghum and beans, and trees were used as fuel to dry tobacco.

1/010 of June 30, 2000) included a section relating to biological diversity, which sets out provisions aimed at protection of fauna, flora and biodiversity by prohibiting attacks on natural environments and animal and plant resources.

The Code also provides for the possibility of instituting special protection measures by creation of "integral reserves" with a view to further strengthening the conservation of species which are particularly threatened or in danger of disappearing.

[4] The precursor "Lacs du Nord Aquatic Landscape Protected Area" was created in 2006, in theory conserving over 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres), or 14.2 of Burundi's interior waters, up from 0.2%.

The plan aimed to conserve and improve the biodiversity of the lakes and marshlands, and of the Murehe forest, to preserve the cultural, scientific and touristic value of Burundi's landscapes, and to involve the local people in managing the ecosystems of the Bugesera region.

Several different types of protected areas were defined:[8] Buffer zones, or belts of land at least 50 metres (160 ft) wide, would be established around "Managed Natural Reserves" and "Integral Zones"[8] A 2022 USAID report noted that the lakes have been invaded by water hyacinth on a large scale, which has crowded out native vegetation and reduced fish stocks.

[9] In October 2023 the Inades-Formation Burundi held a workshop on water resource management with local leaders in the capital of Kirundo Province to celebrate World Food Day.

It was noted that although the 2012 water code encouraged good practices and penalized violations, some of the lakes still suffered from pollution and unsustainable illegal fishing.

[10] Download coordinates as: Protected units are:[7] On 14 March 2013 the Paysage Aquatique Protégé du Nord was designated Ramsar Site no.